Question

A 5-year-old child is admitted to the hospital for heart surgery to repair tetralogy of Fallot. The nurse notes that the child has clubbed fingers, and the nurse knows that this symptom is likely a result of:

a) Chronic respiratory insufficiency
b) Excessive fluid intake
c) Malnutrition
d) Allergic reaction

Answer 1

Clubbed fingers in a child with tetralogy of Fallot are likely due to chronic respiratory insufficiency, caused by the congenital heart defect's impact on blood oxygen levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

The clubbing of fingers observed in a child with tetralogy of Fallot is likely a result of chronic respiratory insufficiency. Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect that reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood, leading to a condition known as cyanosis, evidenced by a blue or purple coloration of the skin. The four components of the condition, which include pulmonary infundibular stenosis, overriding aorta, ventricular septal defect, and right ventricular hypertrophy, contribute to the difficulty in oxygenating blood properly. This chronic lack of oxygen, in turn, can lead to clubbing of the fingers and toes because of long-term oxygen deprivation and compensatory polycythemia.