Question

A nurse is developing a plan of care for a preschooler who has heart failure. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?

A: Assess and record the child's blood pressure every 6 to 8 hr.
B: Weigh the child once each week using the same scale.
C: Place the child in a supine position for a minimum of 4 hr each day.
D: Offer small, frequent meals based on the child's endurance level.

Answer 1

A nurse's care plan for a preschooler with heart failure should include offering small, frequent meals based on the child's endurance and weigh the child daily to monitor fluid status. Positions should also be optimized for respiratory function rather than prescribing a fixed supine position.

Step-by-step explanation:

When developing a plan of care for a preschooler who has heart failure, the nurse should include interventions that accommodate the child's limited energy reserves and the potential fluid retention issues associated with heart failure. One key intervention is D: Offer small, frequent meals based on the child's endurance level. Small, frequent meals are less taxing on the child's body and can help manage energy and fluid balance. Assessing and recording the child's blood pressure more frequently than every 6 to 8 hours might be necessary depending on the severity of the heart failure. Also, it is important to weigh the child daily, not once a week, to monitor fluid status closely; weight changes can indicate fluid retention or loss. The child's position should also be optimized for respiratory function and comfort, which often means keeping them in a semi-upright position rather than supine, to facilitate breathing and reduce the workload on the heart.