Cardiovascular Alterations in Children
In this lesson, we will discuss cardiovascular functions and
alterations. The field of pediatric cardiology has experienced
an evolution over the past half century. There have been
advances in diagnostic techniques, procedures, and pediatric
anesthesia.
Consequently, the pediatric nurse is required to be more
sophisticated in assessment, planning, implementation, and
evaluation of care when it comes to pediatric cardiovascular
pathology.
By completing these learning activities, you will gain the
knowledge and skills needed to:
• Describe hemodynamics, risk factors, clinical
manifestations, and diagnostic evaluation of children
with cardiovascular alterations.
• Conduct assessment of cardiac function when
caring for children with cardiovascular alterations.
Home Oxygen
A 2-year-old with a congenital heart defect requires home
oxygen as part of the treatment plan. What should the nurse
include in the caregiver teaching?
Promoting mobility while providing supplemental oxygen
Mobility will promote growth and development.
Bedrest is unnecessary.
The focus should be on client management, not symptoms of
complications.
The parents would not be drawing arterial blood gasses.
Congenital Heart Disease
This study source was downloaded by 100000897367967 from CourseHero.com on 12-09-2025 08:26:56 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/252981680/NR-328-Week-3-Edapt-Cardiovascular-Alterations-in-Childrendocx/
, The caregivers of a 3-year-old child with congenital heart
disease are afraid to let their child play with other children
because of possible overexertion. The nurse’s best reply
should be based on which fact?
The child needs opportunities to play with peers
The child needs opportunities for social development. The
child will limit activities, as necessary, especially if allowed to
set their own pace. Caregivers must be encouraged to seek
appropriate social activities for the child, especially before
kindergarten. The child needs to have activities that foster
independence.
Physical Examination Findings
The nurse is reviewing the health history and physical
examination of a child diagnosed with heart failure. What
assessment findings should the nurse expect to find? Select
all that apply.
Crackles on lung auscultation Shortness of breath
when playing Tachycardia
Tiring easily when eating
A child with heart failure will be unable to keep up with the
physical and metabolic demands on the body, especially
during any physical exertion. As a result, routine activity
such as eating will cause a child to tire easily. Any physical
activity such as playing can result in shortness of breath.
Also, a child with heart failure will have pulmonary and
systemic venous congestion that includes adventitious
breath sounds and edema. Heart failure impairs myocardial
functioning, so clients will experience tachycardia, not
bradycardia.
Cardiovascular Alterations
Cardiovascular disorders are classified as congenital or acquired.
• Congenital heart defects (CHD) are those heart
anomalies that develop in utero and manifest at birth or
shortly after.
CHDs arise at birth and are most often anatomical in nature,
This study source was downloaded by 100000897367967 from CourseHero.com on 12-09-2025 08:26:56 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/252981680/NR-328-Week-3-Edapt-Cardiovascular-Alterations-in-Childrendocx/
In this lesson, we will discuss cardiovascular functions and
alterations. The field of pediatric cardiology has experienced
an evolution over the past half century. There have been
advances in diagnostic techniques, procedures, and pediatric
anesthesia.
Consequently, the pediatric nurse is required to be more
sophisticated in assessment, planning, implementation, and
evaluation of care when it comes to pediatric cardiovascular
pathology.
By completing these learning activities, you will gain the
knowledge and skills needed to:
• Describe hemodynamics, risk factors, clinical
manifestations, and diagnostic evaluation of children
with cardiovascular alterations.
• Conduct assessment of cardiac function when
caring for children with cardiovascular alterations.
Home Oxygen
A 2-year-old with a congenital heart defect requires home
oxygen as part of the treatment plan. What should the nurse
include in the caregiver teaching?
Promoting mobility while providing supplemental oxygen
Mobility will promote growth and development.
Bedrest is unnecessary.
The focus should be on client management, not symptoms of
complications.
The parents would not be drawing arterial blood gasses.
Congenital Heart Disease
This study source was downloaded by 100000897367967 from CourseHero.com on 12-09-2025 08:26:56 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/252981680/NR-328-Week-3-Edapt-Cardiovascular-Alterations-in-Childrendocx/
, The caregivers of a 3-year-old child with congenital heart
disease are afraid to let their child play with other children
because of possible overexertion. The nurse’s best reply
should be based on which fact?
The child needs opportunities to play with peers
The child needs opportunities for social development. The
child will limit activities, as necessary, especially if allowed to
set their own pace. Caregivers must be encouraged to seek
appropriate social activities for the child, especially before
kindergarten. The child needs to have activities that foster
independence.
Physical Examination Findings
The nurse is reviewing the health history and physical
examination of a child diagnosed with heart failure. What
assessment findings should the nurse expect to find? Select
all that apply.
Crackles on lung auscultation Shortness of breath
when playing Tachycardia
Tiring easily when eating
A child with heart failure will be unable to keep up with the
physical and metabolic demands on the body, especially
during any physical exertion. As a result, routine activity
such as eating will cause a child to tire easily. Any physical
activity such as playing can result in shortness of breath.
Also, a child with heart failure will have pulmonary and
systemic venous congestion that includes adventitious
breath sounds and edema. Heart failure impairs myocardial
functioning, so clients will experience tachycardia, not
bradycardia.
Cardiovascular Alterations
Cardiovascular disorders are classified as congenital or acquired.
• Congenital heart defects (CHD) are those heart
anomalies that develop in utero and manifest at birth or
shortly after.
CHDs arise at birth and are most often anatomical in nature,
This study source was downloaded by 100000897367967 from CourseHero.com on 12-09-2025 08:26:56 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/252981680/NR-328-Week-3-Edapt-Cardiovascular-Alterations-in-Childrendocx/
