A nurse is planning care for an 8-month-old infant who has heart failure.
Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
A.
Administer cool, humidified oxygen via nasal cannula.
B.
Provide less frequent, higher volume feedings.
C.
Place the infant in a prone position.
D.
Repeat a digoxin dosage if the infant vomits within 1 hr of administration.
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is A. Administer cool, humidified oxygen via nasal cannula.
Explanation:
In infants with heart failure, the primary goals of nursing care include promoting adequate oxygenation, ensuring proper nutrition, and minimizing the work of breathing.
Option A: Administer cool, humidified oxygen via nasal cannula. This is appropriate because infants with heart failure often experience respiratory distress due to pulmonary congestion or edema. Cool, humidified oxygen can help maintain airway patency, reduce airway resistance, and improve oxygen saturation levels. It can also be soothing for infants, aiding in comfort during respiratory distress.
Option B: Provide less frequent, higher volume feedings. This option is not ideal. Infants with heart failure often tire easily, and large feedings can exacerbate their condition by increasing cardiac workload and the risk of aspiration. Instead, smaller, more frequent feedings are typically recommended to ensure adequate caloric intake while minimizing strain.
Option C: Place the infant in a prone position. This is contraindicated for infants with respiratory distress. The preferred position is usually semi-upright or elevated, as this can help ease breathing and improve lung expansion, thus facilitating better oxygenation.
Option D: Repeat a digoxin dosage if the infant vomits within 1 hour of administration. This action is incorrect. If an infant vomits after receiving digoxin, the nurse should not automatically repeat the dose unless specifically directed by a healthcare provider. This is due to the risk of digoxin toxicity, which can occur if dosages are given too close together, especially in the context of a vomiting episode, which may indicate increased absorption issues.
In summary, the most critical aspect of care in this scenario is ensuring adequate oxygenation, making Option A the best choice for the plan of care for this infant with heart failure.