Peds/OB Class 2 Flashcards
When does the foramen ovale close? What causes it to close?
1-2 hours after birth.
It closes because the L Atrium’s pressure becomes higher than the R Atrium’s pressure (once the lungs empty of fluid and resistance in the pulm artery decreases).
When does the ductus arteriosus close? What causes it to close?
About 72h after birth (3ish days)
Closes d/t drop in prostaglandin and the increase in O2 levels in blood.
How do kids differ from adults in cardiac anatomy?
In infants, heart is larger, comparatively.
SBP increases rapidly in 1st 6 weeks, then slowly until adolescence.
Neonates must increase HR to meet CO needs (cannot increase stroke volume)
What will happen to a neonate that cannot increase its HR?
If it’s low enough, it’ll go into CHF
What is clubbing associated with?
Long-term hypoxia, often from CHF
Why would you worry about an eating baby if they were diaphoretic?
Indicates increased work of breathing and O2 demand - sign of CHF.
What are you looking for in an abdominal exam of a child you suspect has CHF?
Palpable liver (or spleen)
How does the body compensate for CHF in kids? What s/s do we see?
Compensates by increasing sympathetic activity. *Tachycardia one of first signs. Cool extremities (shunting to trunk) Retractions, flaring nares, dyspnea Sweaty head when eating Decreased urine output Periorbital edema *decreased play/activity/sports/interest in world! (Activity intolerance) Palpable liver (back pressure
When would you see decreased BP in CHF?
Not until it’s very, very advanced.
How can you best manage CHF (nursing care)?
Keep kids calm Cluster care and allow for scheduled periods of rest Position in semi-Fowler’s Monitor I/Os Encourage one-on-one time Minimize infection risk
What are the goals of CHF treatment in kids?
Improve cardiac function
Remove accumulated fluids (Decreasing cardiac demands)
Improve tissue oxygenation
Provide sufficient nutrition to meet caloric demands
What medication is used for CHF in children - what does it do? What do you need to do before administering it?
Digoxin - increases contractility of the heart
Take apical pulse for one minute
What are the s/s of digoxin toxicity?
Anorexia
Nausea/Vomiting
Bradycardia
Arrythmias
How will you increase caloric intake in babies? Older kids?
-Fortified formula, add fat
-Pump and use bottle if baby isn’t gaining well
Maybe feeding tube at night to supplement
When older, add fat to everything.
What conditions increase pulmonary blood flow?
PDA, ASD, VSD
What conditions obstruct cardiac outflow to body?
CoA, Aortic Stenosis
What conditions obstruct cardiac outflow to lungs?
Pulmonary stenosis, Tetralogy of Fallot
What is a PDA and what causes it? How is it treated?
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (doesn’t close)
Blood moves from aorta back to pulm artery… causing the lungs to get extra blood flow.
Caused by prematurity, higher prostaglandin levels that prevent PDA from closing.
Can give IV PGE inhibitor (Indomethacin). If doesn’t work, will fix after a year old.
What are the s/sx of a PDA?
Harsh, loud murmur that continues through systole/diastole.
(Best heard in armpit)
Tachypnea & resp distress
What is an ASD? What do you see? How/when will it be fixed?
Atrial Septal Defect: hole btw atria that causes blood to flow from left to right.
Results in decreased output to body, and can back up to liver on the R side (s/s of R-sided CHF).
S/Sx Activity intolerance, murmur or extra sounds
If it doesn’t self-repair, surgery at 3-4y/o.
How does the relationship between cyanosis and crying tell you if the problem is pulmonary or cardiac?
Cyanosis that worsens when crying is d/t heart problems because it increases pulmonary resistance.
Cyanosis that improves with crying is pulmonary b/c the deep breathing and air flow improves the condition
What is a VSD? When would you see it? What would you see?
Ventricular Septal Defect.
Hole between the ventricles means that blood pumps from the left ventricle to the R ventricle on contraction. Not as much gets out to the systemic circulation - it keeps circulating through heart and lungs.
Might not see until 1-2m old: takes time for pressures to change in ventricles.
You’d see poor weight gain (small babies, poor feeding)
Fast Heart Rate
Sweaty
S/s of CHF (liver, spleen, heart enlargement)
How (and when) is a VSD treated?
Surgery before 1 year old to prevent hypertrophy
Digoxin, high calorie diet and low stimulation until then.
What is a CoA? When does it start? What will you see?
Coarctation of the Aorta
Aorta narrows at the juncture of the DA (scar tissue) and prevents free passage of blood to the lower part of the body.
Subtle differences start at day 3-4: bluish legs, decreased diapers, increased respiratory rate.
Big sign is the difference in BP between arms and legs.
If older kids have this, you might see headaches d/t high pressure in aortic arch.
If a CoA is noticed early, what treatment will be given?
Prostaglandins: will keep the DA open.
Eventually, will need surgical treatment.
What is aortic stenosis? When do you see the s/s and what are thy?
A narrowing of the aortic valve (obstructs outflow to the whole body).
You’ll see problems as the DA starts to close (3-4d):
- diminished carotid pulses
- low BP
- poor feeding
- Activity intolerance
- older kids might have angina-like CP.