An infant who is diagnosed with a mild heart defect will not have surgical correction for at least 2 years. Which information should the nurse include in the discharge teaching regarding management in the home environment?

Question

1. "Your child will have a low-grade fever until the defect is repaired."
2. "It is important for your child to maintain normal activity."
3. "Your child is not at risk for congestive heart failure."
4. "It is important to avoid antipyretics for the treatment of fever."

Answer 1

2
Explanation:
1. Low-grade fever is not a normal finding in a child with a mild cyanotic heart defect and could be a sign of infective endocarditis.
2. A child with a mild cyanotic heart defect should be treated as normally as possible without activity adjustment.
3. Any child with a heart defect could develop congestive heart failure.
4. Fevers are treated with antipyretics so that dehydration is avoided.