The primary care pediatric nurse practitioner is performing a well child
examination on a schoolage child who had complete repair of a tetralogy of Fallot defect in infancy. What is important in this child's health maintenance regime?

Question

The primary care pediatric nurse practitioner is performing a well child
examination on a school­age child who had complete repair of a tetralogy of Fallot defect in infancy. What is important in this child's health maintenance regime?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The child who had complete repair of a tetralogy of Fallot defect in infancy may still need cardiology clearance for sports participation to ensure that there are no residual complications or limitations. While there may have been restrictions on physical activity immediately after surgery, the child should now be encouraged to engage in regular physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. Sub-acute bacterial endocarditis prophylaxis precautions are typically only recommended for children with certain cardiac conditions undergoing certain procedures, which do not apply in this case. Hypercyanotic episodes (also known as "tet spells") are a potential complication of uncorrected or poorly corrected tetralogy of Fallot, but the child who has had complete repair should not experience these episodes.

The Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Is Performing a Well