Cardiovascular Assessment

Question 1

What history questions to ask parents?

Answer 1

Ask them what they might think is wrong, ask for pregnancy and birth details especially for children under 2, and ask for family medical history

Question 2

What things should you ask about in history of their present illness?

Answer 2

Feeding pattern - duration, associated distress, volume taken, stops to rest, caloric supplementation required
Fatigue - while feeding and playing
Oedema - fluid build up (can see this facially)
Dyspnoea/tachypnoea - irregular heart problems
Cyanosis - blue
Squatting/spelling - part of heart isn’t functioning properly
Growth
Frequency of injections
Palpitations - high heart beat