What are expected findings in a client with a cyanotic congenital heart defect?

• A. Tachycardia, increased respiration rate, delayed growth and development
• B. Bradycardia, decreased respirations
• C. Hypotension, weight gain
• D. Afebrile, stable growth

Answer: (A)

When a cyanotic congenital heart defect is present, blood is shunted in a way that lowers systemic oxygen delivery. The body responds by speeding up the heart and the breaths to compensate for the chronic hypoxemia. Over time, this chronic low oxygen state also affects growth and development because tissues aren’t getting the oxygen they need for normal growth and activity.

So the expected findings are a fast heart rate, rapid or labored breathing, and delayed growth or developmental issues. The other patterns don’t fit the situation: a slower heart rate with reduced respirations isn’t the body’s response to hypoxemia; low blood pressure with weight gain doesn’t match the typical compensatory picture; being afebrile with stable growth implies no ongoing oxygenation problem.