Question

A nurse is admitting a 6-year-old child status post tonsillectomy to the surgical unit. The nurse obtains his weight and places EKG and a pulse oximeter on the client's left finger. His heart rate reads 100 bpm and the pulse oximeter reads 99%.

These readings best indicate:

a) diminished stroke volume.
b) high cardiac output.
c) heart failure.
d) adequate tissue perfusion.

Answer 1

The 6-year-old child has a heart rate of 100 bpm and a pulse oximeter reading of 99%, indicating adequate tissue perfusion and a normal physiological state post-tonsillectomy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The 6-year-old child who has undergone a tonsillectomy has a heart rate of 100 bpm and a pulse oximeter reading of 99%. These readings indicate adequate tissue perfusion, as the heart rate is within the normal range for a child of this age and the pulse oximetry shows a normal level of oxygen saturation in the blood. A heart rate of 100 bpm is not indicative of heightened cardiac stress or pathology, especially in a post-operative setting where stress and slight elevation in heart rate can be expected. Moreover, a pulse oximeter reading of 99% is excellent and suggests that the child's circulatory and respiratory systems are effectively delivering oxygen to the tissues.