Signs of Cardiac Dysfunction in Pediatric Patients PDF

Signs of cardiac dysfunction in pediatric patients In a pediatric patient, tachycardia may indicate decreased cardiac output and can be a sign of early cardiac dysfunction. Indicators of cardiac dysfunction that may be noted during the history and physical assessment include: Poor feeding Tachypnea...

Signs of cardiac dysfunction in pediatric patients In a pediatric patient, tachycardia may indicate decreased cardiac output and can be a sign of early cardiac dysfunction. Indicators of cardiac dysfunction that may be noted during the history and physical assessment include: Poor feeding Tachypnea Failure to thrive, poor weight gain, or activity intolerance Developmental delays Prenatal risk factors, including substance abuse, diabetes, and maternal infection Family history of cardiac disease What manifestations would present in a 6-month-old who is diagnosed with an increased pulmonary flow defect? Difficulty breathing Poor feeding Failure to thrive Edema of the face, periorbital area, and neck Poor urine output Tetralogy of Fallot Children experiencing Tetralogy of Fallot may have inadequate blood flow throughout the body. As a result, they may experience a variety of symptoms, such as: Cyanosis Difficulty feeding Restlessness Behavioral changes Seizures Very often, children with Tetralogy of Fallot will have sudden hypercyanotic episodes, called “tet spells.” There are very specific nursing interventions that accompany these hypercyanotic episodes in order to help the child recover. Nursing interventions include: Place the child in a knee-chest position. Administer 100% oxygen by face mask. Use a calm, comforting approach. Administer morphine subcutaneously or through an existing intravenous (IV) line. Begin intravenous (IV) fluid replacement and volume expansion if needed. In children who can walk, those diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot may assume a squatting position (knee -chest) when experiencing a hypercyanotic spell in order to relieve the discomfort associated with the tet spell.