117k views
1 vote
A nurse is caring for an infant who has tetralogy of Fallot and experiences a hypercyanotic spell. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. begin CPRR
B. prepare to intubate
C. administer adenosine
D. place infant in knee-chest position

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

When caring for an infant with tetralogy of Fallot who experiences a hypercyanotic spell, the nurse should place the infant in a knee-chest position.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should place the infant in a knee-chest position during a hypercyanotic spell. This position helps to increase vascular resistance and reduce the right-to-left shunt, thereby improving oxygenation. Hypercyanotic spells, also known as “blue spells,” occur when there is a sudden increase in the right-to-left shunting through the heart, leading to a decrease in the amount of oxygenated blood reaching the body. The knee-chest position brings the knees to the chest, which can help to alleviate this issue. This is a critical nursing intervention specific to the management of a hypercyanotic spell in infants with tetralogy of Fallot.

User Rietty
by
8.0k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.

9.4m questions

12.2m answers

Categories