Nursing interventions fo patient having patent ductus arteriosus?

Answer 1

Present only in newborns; the fetal ductus arteriosus doesn't close within the first week or two after birth. There are 3 fetal circulations that close at birth and this one is connects the aorta and the pulmonary artery. Clinical manifestations include murmur, widened pulse pressure and bounding pulses. Sometimes asymptomatic, other infants present signs of CHF (reduced output). Medical treatment includes prostaglandin inhibiters (indomethacin), cardiac cauterization or eventually surgical repair. RN interventions would be: assessment of vitals & signs such as tachycardia, tachypnea, scalp diaphoresis (signs CHF), I/O and weight (weigh diapers, check fluid retention), monitor for edema, position bed in semi-fowlers if necessary, avoid cold stress in infant (always keep infants warm!), reduce environmental stimuli...rest!, O2 if RX, organize RN actions to promote uninterrupted sleep (think about this when entering room & infant is sleeping...what do you do first? Do things you don't need to wake infant for in priority). administer RX, Instruct parents (don't forget CPR and SDS teaching). Basically...the RN should activate all care usually associated with CHF because anormal communicaiton between these larger arteries is going to permit bloodflow from the left side of the heart (high pressure) to the right side (low pressure). If you don't understand this, then you need to revise your cardiav physiology! Good luck :o)))