The toddler is admitted with a cardiac anomaly. The nurse is aware that the infant with a ventricular septal defect will:
A. Tire easily
B. Grow normally
C. Need more calories
D. Be more susceptible to viral infections
Correct Answer: A. Tire easily
The toddler with a ventricular septal defect will tire easily. The hole (defect) occurs in the wall (septum) that separates the heart’s lower chambers (ventricles) and allows blood to pass from the left to the right side of the heart. The oxygen-rich blood then gets pumped back to the lungs instead of out to the body, causing the heart to work harder.
Options B and C: He will not grow normally but will not need more calories.
Option D: He will be susceptible to bacterial infection, but he will be no more susceptible to viral infections than other children.