A nurse is assisting a new mother as she is breastfeeding her infant. The infant has been diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot. During feeding, the infant becomes cyanotic and is having difficulty breathing. What should be the nurse's first action?

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11ecbb05_ca96_be8f_b433_e527154bdabe_MD0009_00 Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital cardiac defect that typically has 4 characteristics: pulmonary stenosis, right ventricular hypertrophy, overriding aorta, and ventricular septal defect. This infant is experiencing a hypercyanotic episode, or "tet spell," which is an exacerbation of tetralogy of Fallot that can happen when a child cries, becomes upset, or is feeding. The child should first be placed in a knee-to-chest position. Flexion of the legs provides relief of dyspnea as this angle improves oxygenation by reducing the volume of blood that is shunted through the overriding aorta and the ventricular septal defect. (Option A) Morphine may be considered if the dyspnea is not relieved by the knee-to-chest position. (Option B) If oxygen saturation remains low, oxygen may need to be administered. (Option C) Vital signs and pulse oximetry may be checked after the infant has been placed in the knee-chest position. Educational objective: To relieve a hypercyanotic episode, or "tet spell," the nurse should place the infant or child in the knee-chest position.

A Nurse Is Assisting a New Mother as She Is