cardiac: congenital + acquired

Question 1

How common are congenital heart defects (CHD)?

Answer 1

8 out of 1,000 infants are born with CHD.

Question 2

What percentage of infants with CHD are expected to live to adulthood?

Answer 2

90% are expected to live to adulthood.

Question 3

How are congenital heart defects classified?

Answer 3

By embryological formation, structure, and physiology.

Question 4

How can CHD affect pulmonary blood flow?

Answer 4

It can increase or decrease pulmonary blood flow.

Question 5

What is Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)?

Answer 5

A condition where the fetal shunt fails to close after birth, allowing blood to flow from the aorta to the pulmonary artery, causing left heart dilation.

Question 6

What are the assessment findings for PDA?

Answer 6

Early systolic murmur without resolution, rales, congestion, increased work of breathing (WOB), difficulty feeding, failure to thrive (FTT); diagnosed via echocardiogram.

Question 7

What are the nursing interventions and education for PDA?

Answer 7

Diuretics, increased calories at feeds, possible surgical closure, NSAIDs to facilitate closure.

Question 8

What is Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)?

Answer 8

A condition where a portion of the atrial septal tissue does not fully form, increasing pulmonary blood flow.

Question 9

What are the assessment findings for ASD?

Answer 9

Pulmonary overcirculation signs, rales, congestion, tiring with activity, frequent respiratory infections, poor weight gain, few signs of heart failure; diagnosed via echocardiogram.

Question 10

What are the nursing interventions and education for ASD?

Answer 10

Monitor small defects for spontaneous closure, use diuretics if needed, cardiac catheterization for larger defects.

Question 11

What is Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)?

Answer 11

The most common heart defect in children, where a portion of the ventricular septum does not fully close, increasing pulmonary blood flow.

Question 12

What are the assessment findings for VSD?

Answer 12

Murmur at the lower sternal border, signs of heart failure (tachycardia, poor feeding, FTT, tachypnea, retractions, rales); diagnosed via echocardiogram.

Question 13

What are the nursing interventions and education for VSD?

Answer 13

Careful monitoring, surgical or catheterization closure for larger defects.

Question 14

What is Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)?

Answer 14

A congenital heart defect that decreases pulmonary blood flow and often requires intervention in the first year of life.

Question 15

What are the assessment findings for TOF?

Answer 15

Systolic murmur at the upper left sternal border, hypercyanotic spells (deep cyanosis, distress, irritability).

Question 16

What are the nursing interventions and education for TOF?

Answer 16

Emergency management for hypercyanotic spells, surgical repair typically at 3–6 months of age.

Question 17

What is Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA)?

Answer 17

A narrowing of the aorta.

Question 18

What are the assessment findings for CoA?

Answer 18

Possible murmur, unequal upper and lower extremity pulses, different blood pressures between the right arm and either leg.

Question 19

What are the risk factors for CoA?

Answer 19

Congenital, more common in males than females.

Question 20

What are the nursing interventions and education for CoA?

Answer 20

Surgical repair, balloon dilation, and monitoring.

Question 21

What is Kawasaki’s Disease?

Answer 21

A mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome and an acquired heart disease.

Question 22

What does Kawasaki’s Disease cause?

Answer 22

Acute febrile syndrome with generalized vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels).

Question 23

What serious risks are associated with Kawasaki’s Disease?

Answer 23

Risk of thrombus formation and myocardial infarction (MI).

Question 24

What long-term complications can Kawasaki’s Disease cause?

Answer 24

Potential coronary artery involvement and long-term abnormalities.

Question 25

How is Kawasaki’s Disease diagnosed?

Answer 25

Diagnosis of exclusion; no specific lab tests or diagnostics confirm it.

Question 26

What is a key symptom of Kawasaki’s Disease?

Answer 26

Prolonged fever (≥100.4°F [39°C]) lasting 5 or more days.

Question 27

How many additional symptoms must be present for Kawasaki’s Disease diagnosis?

Answer 27

At least four out of five specific symptoms.

Question 28

What are the five symptoms used to diagnose Kawasaki’s Disease?

Answer 28

1. Changes in hands/feet (erythema, edema, peeling). 2. Polymorphous exanthema (maculopapular rash on trunk/extremities). 3. Bilateral conjunctivitis without exudates. 4. Changes in lips/mouth (erythema, strawberry tongue, dry/cracked lips). 5. Cervical lymphadenopathy (>1.5 cm, usually unilateral).

Question 29

What are the risk factors for Kawasaki’s Disease?

Answer 29

Unknown etiology, possible genetic predisposition, infectious precursor but not contagious.

Question 30

When is Kawasaki’s Disease most common?

Answer 30

Winter and spring.

Question 31

What demographics are more affected by Kawasaki’s Disease?

Answer 31

More common in males, children <5 years old, and Asian or Pacific Island descent.

Question 32

What are the nursing interventions for Kawasaki’s Disease?

Answer 32

Supportive care, nutrition, hydration, and fever management.

Question 33

What treatments are used for Kawasaki’s Disease?

Answer 33

IVIG and aspirin therapy.

Question 34

What is Rheumatic Fever?

Answer 34

An autoimmune disease that occurs after a Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection (strep throat).

Question 35

What does Rheumatic Fever cause in the body?

Answer 35

Inflammatory lesions in the heart, blood vessels, brain, and joints.

Question 36

What is the primary cause of Rheumatic Fever?

Answer 36

Untreated or inadequately treated strep pharyngitis.

Question 37

What are the risk factors for Rheumatic Fever?

Answer 37

More common in economically disadvantaged populations worldwide.

Question 38

What age group is most affected by Rheumatic Fever?

Answer 38

Children aged 6-15 years.

Question 39

What is a common joint-related symptom of Rheumatic Fever?

Answer 39

Polyarthritis with fluid accumulation.

Question 40

What heart-related symptom is seen in Rheumatic Fever?

Answer 40

Carditis, usually presenting as mitral valve insufficiency.

Question 41

What neurological symptom can occur with Rheumatic Fever?

Answer 41

Sydenham chorea (sudden involuntary limb movements).

Question 42

What skin-related symptom may indicate Rheumatic Fever?

Answer 42

Erythema marginatum (macular rash on the trunk, rare but definitive if present).

Question 43

What other physical symptom can occur with Rheumatic Fever?

Answer 43

Subcutaneous nodules on bony joints.

Question 44

What lab tests help diagnose Rheumatic Fever?

Answer 44

Elevated antistreptolysin-O (ASO) titer, elevated ESR and CRP.

Question 45

What is the primary treatment for Rheumatic Fever?

Answer 45

Penicillin therapy.

Question 46

What is required for long-term Rheumatic Fever management?

Answer 46

Short- and long-term monitoring and management.

Question 47

How common is childhood obesity in the U.S.?

Answer 47

1 in 3 children is obese or overweight.

Question 48

What are the consequences of childhood obesity?

Answer 48

It can cause lifelong physical, emotional, social, and economic issues.

Question 49

What serious health issue is linked to childhood obesity?

Answer 49

Increased risk of cardiac disease.

Question 50

How is obesity defined in children?

Answer 50

BMI at or above the 95th percentile.

Question 51

How is being overweight defined in children?

Answer 51

BMI at or above the 85th percentile.

Question 52

What dietary changes can help prevent childhood obesity?

Answer 52

Consuming a low-fat diet and eliminating sugary beverages and foods.

Question 53

What lifestyle changes can help prevent childhood obesity?

Answer 53

Increasing physical activity and reducing screen time.