Question

A nurse is creating a plan of care for a school age child who has heart disease and has developed HF. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?

Option 1: Encouraging the child to engage in vigorous physical activities
Option 2: Limiting the child's fluid intake
Option 3: Providing a diet high in sodium
Option 4: Administering medications as prescribed, such as diuretics and ACE inhibitors

Answer 1

The most appropriate intervention for a school-age child with heart disease and heart failure would be Option 4: Administering prescribed medications such as diuretics and ACE inhibitors, and potentially Option 2: Limiting fluid intake.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse is creating a plan of care for a school-age child who has heart disease and has developed heart failure (HF). Among the interventions to include in the plan of care, the nurse should prioritize Option 4: Administering medications as prescribed, such as diuretics and ACE inhibitors. This approach aligns with the medical management of HF which aims to reduce the workload on the heart and manage symptoms.

Option 2: Limiting the child's fluid intake may also be beneficial, as excessive fluid can exacerbate heart failure symptoms by increasing the volume the weakened heart needs to pump. On the contrary, Option 1: Encouraging vigorous physical activities and Option 3: Providing a diet high in sodium are not advisable, as both can strain a compromised heart and potentially worsen HF.

Encouraging a balanced diet low in sodium and creating a tailored, light-to-moderate physical exercise program, as recommended by cardiologists, would be part of a comprehensive treatment plan alongside medication.