MODULE 1
Pediatric Circulatory System
Alterations
During this learning activity, the focus will be on
cardiovascular functions and alterations. The field of pediatric
cardiology has experienced an evolution over the past half
century. There have been advances in diagnostic techniques,
procedures, and pediatric anesthesia. Consequently, the
pediatric nurse is required to be more sophisticated in
assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of
care when it comes to pediatric cardiovascular pathology.
By completing these learning activities, the learner will gain
the knowledge and skills needed to:
• describe hemodynamics, risk factors, clinical
manifestations, and diagnostic evaluation of children
with cardiovascular alterations
• conduct assessment of cardiac function when
caring for children with cardiovascular alterations
Toddler Assessment
A caregiver brings their 4-year-old son in for a check-up.
Which assessment finding should the nurse be concerned
about?
Resting pulse rate of 130
Pulse rate in preschool children decreases to about 85 bpm
typically, so the nurse should be concerned about a pulse
rate of 130 in a 4-year-old.
This study source was downloaded by 100000897367967 from CourseHero.com on 12-09-2025 08:14:13 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/252981540/NR-328-Week-3-Edapt-Nursing-Care-of-Pediatric-Patients-Circulatory-System-Alterationsdocx/
, Physical Assessment: Setting the
Tone
The nurse is teaching the student nurse how to perform a
physical assessment based on the child's developmental
stage. Which statement accurately describes a
recommended guideline for setting the tone of the
examination for a school-age child?
Include the child in all parts of the examination; speak to the
caregiver before and after the examination.
For a school-age child, the nurse should include the child in
all parts of the examination and speak to the caregiver
before and after the examination.
Vital Signs and Children
The nursing professor is observing the student nurse
measure the vital signs of several children. Which actions by
the student demonstrate knowledge of the procedure? Select
all that apply.
The student assesses the child’s femoral pulses bilaterally at the same time.
The student listens to the 12-month-old's heart for 10-20 seconds before beginning to count
the rate for a minute.
The student auscultates a 7-year-old's apical pulse for 60 seconds.
The radial pulse is difficult to palpate accurately in children
younger than 2 years of age because the blood vessels lie
close to the skin surface and are easily obliterated. Infants
and young children are often nervous or fearful, causing the
heart rate to elevate; therefore, the nurse should listen to the
heart a few seconds before counting the pulse. For children
younger than 10 years of age, auscultate the apical pulse with
the stethoscope for a full minute. Infants’ respirations are
primarily diaphragmatic, so count the abdominal movements.
In infants, brachial and femoral pulses should be palpated and
compared bilaterally at the same time while assessing
strength
This study source was downloadedand regularity.
by 100000897367967 from CourseHero.com on 12-09-2025 08:14:13 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/252981540/NR-328-Week-3-Edapt-Nursing-Care-of-Pediatric-Patients-Circulatory-System-Alterationsdocx/
Pediatric Circulatory System
Alterations
During this learning activity, the focus will be on
cardiovascular functions and alterations. The field of pediatric
cardiology has experienced an evolution over the past half
century. There have been advances in diagnostic techniques,
procedures, and pediatric anesthesia. Consequently, the
pediatric nurse is required to be more sophisticated in
assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of
care when it comes to pediatric cardiovascular pathology.
By completing these learning activities, the learner will gain
the knowledge and skills needed to:
• describe hemodynamics, risk factors, clinical
manifestations, and diagnostic evaluation of children
with cardiovascular alterations
• conduct assessment of cardiac function when
caring for children with cardiovascular alterations
Toddler Assessment
A caregiver brings their 4-year-old son in for a check-up.
Which assessment finding should the nurse be concerned
about?
Resting pulse rate of 130
Pulse rate in preschool children decreases to about 85 bpm
typically, so the nurse should be concerned about a pulse
rate of 130 in a 4-year-old.
This study source was downloaded by 100000897367967 from CourseHero.com on 12-09-2025 08:14:13 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/252981540/NR-328-Week-3-Edapt-Nursing-Care-of-Pediatric-Patients-Circulatory-System-Alterationsdocx/
, Physical Assessment: Setting the
Tone
The nurse is teaching the student nurse how to perform a
physical assessment based on the child's developmental
stage. Which statement accurately describes a
recommended guideline for setting the tone of the
examination for a school-age child?
Include the child in all parts of the examination; speak to the
caregiver before and after the examination.
For a school-age child, the nurse should include the child in
all parts of the examination and speak to the caregiver
before and after the examination.
Vital Signs and Children
The nursing professor is observing the student nurse
measure the vital signs of several children. Which actions by
the student demonstrate knowledge of the procedure? Select
all that apply.
The student assesses the child’s femoral pulses bilaterally at the same time.
The student listens to the 12-month-old's heart for 10-20 seconds before beginning to count
the rate for a minute.
The student auscultates a 7-year-old's apical pulse for 60 seconds.
The radial pulse is difficult to palpate accurately in children
younger than 2 years of age because the blood vessels lie
close to the skin surface and are easily obliterated. Infants
and young children are often nervous or fearful, causing the
heart rate to elevate; therefore, the nurse should listen to the
heart a few seconds before counting the pulse. For children
younger than 10 years of age, auscultate the apical pulse with
the stethoscope for a full minute. Infants’ respirations are
primarily diaphragmatic, so count the abdominal movements.
In infants, brachial and femoral pulses should be palpated and
compared bilaterally at the same time while assessing
strength
This study source was downloadedand regularity.
by 100000897367967 from CourseHero.com on 12-09-2025 08:14:13 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/252981540/NR-328-Week-3-Edapt-Nursing-Care-of-Pediatric-Patients-Circulatory-System-Alterationsdocx/
