The therapist notices the following signs in a pediatric patient who recently had a heart transplant:
Decreased cardiac contractility
Congestive heart failure
Tachycardia
Tachypnea
Malaise
How should the therapist interpret these signs?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the lung transplant patient, tachypnea, bibasilar inspiratory crackles on auscultation, increased interstitial infiltrates on chest radiography, and hypoxemia by pulse oximetry are often associated with acute rejection (see Figure 21-6 in the textbook). For older patients who can perform spirometry, a drop in pulmonary function, either restrictive or obstructive, is often the most sensitive indicator of acute rejection.

The Therapist Notices the Following Signs in a Pediatric Patient