A nurse is assigned to care for an infant with an unrepaired tetralogy of Fallot.What should the nurse do first when the baby is crying and becomes severely cyanotic?
A) Place the infant in a knee-chest position.
B) Administer oxygen.
C) Administer morphine sulfate.
D) Calm the infant.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Calming the crying infant is the first response.An infant with unrepaired tetralogy of Fallot who is crying and agitated may eventually lose consciousness.Placing the infant in a knee-chest position will decrease venous return so that smaller amounts of highly saturated blood reach the heart.This should be done after calming the infant.Administering oxygen is indicated after placing the infant in a knee-chest position.Administering morphine sulfate calms the infant and depresses respirations.It may be indicated sometime after the infant has been calmed.

A Nurse Is Assigned to Care for an Infant with an Unrepaired