Congenital Heart Defects in Children · NCLEX Exam

A child after surgery for a congenital heart defect develops edema, ascites and weight gain over two days. The nurse recognises these signs as consistent with:

  1. Decreased cardiac output and heart failure
  2. Improved cardiac output and recovery
  3. Expected, normal postoperative findings
  4. Dehydration with fluid volume deficit
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Correct answer: Decreased cardiac output and heart failure

Post-operative CHD patients are at risk of heart failure due to residual defects or surgical stress; fluid retention and weight gain indicate decreased cardiac output and fluid overload.

Difficulty: Medium Question 7 of 14

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