Author Question: The parents of a newborn have just been told their infant has tetralogy of Fallot. The parents do ... (Read 73 times)

wrbasek0 · **on:** Jun 27, 2018

The parents of a newborn have just been told their infant has tetralogy of Fallot. The parents do not seem to understand the explanation given by the physician. What statement by the nurse is best?

1. With this defect, not enough of the blood circulates through the lungs, leading to a lack of oxygen in the baby's body.
2. The baby's aorta has a narrowing in a section near the heart that makes the left side of the heart work harder.
3. The blood vessels that attach to the ventricles of the heart are positioned on the wrong sides of the heart.
4. Your baby's heart doesn't circulate blood well because the left ventricle is smaller and thinner than normal.

Question 2

The nurse begins a prenatal assessment on a 25-year-old primigravida at 20 weeks' gestation and immediately contacts the healthcare provider because of which finding?

1. Pulse 88/minute
2. Respirations 30/minute
3. Temperature 37.4 C (99.3 F)
4. Blood pressure 134/82

ultraflyy23 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 27, 2018

Answer to Question 1

1
Rationale 1: Tetralogy of Fallot is a cyanotic heart defect that comprises four abnormalities: pulmonary stenosis, ventricular septal defect, overriding aorta, and right ventricle hypertrophy. Deoxygenated blood is shunted from the right ventricle through the VSD into the left ventricle, bypassing the lungs and circulating de-oxygenated blood.
Rationale 2: This describes coarctation of the aorta, which is not a cyanotic heart defect but an obstructive defect to systemic blood flow.
Rationale 3: This describes transposition of the great vessels.
Rationale 4: This describes hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Answer to Question 2

2
Rationale 1: A slight increase in pulse is an expected finding during pregnancy due to the increased oxygen consumption to support fetal metabolism.
Rationale 2: Tachypnea is not a normal finding, and requires medical care.
Rationale 3: A slightly higher temperature is an expected finding during pregnancy due to the increased oxygen consumption to support fetal metabolism.
Rationale 4: A blood pressure of 134/82 is within normal limits.