As the Pediatric Cardiac Team Prepared to Cannulate for a Coarctation

question 8

Multiple Choice

As the pediatric cardiac team prepared to cannulate for a coarctation repair,their neonate patient presented with a sudden dysrhythmia,ectopy,and failure to respond to digitalis.Point-of-care serum electrolyte measurements revealed low potassium,sodium,and magnesium levels.On anesthesia induction,only 35 minutes earlier,these values were at normal levels and the patient status was secure.The electrolyte levels were treated to normal and the patient was cannulated and placed on cardiopulmonary bypass.As the procedure continued the team pondered the cause to prevent a recurrence.What possible event could have caused,or contributed to,this loss of electrolytes?

• A) Unreported patient diarrhea before surgery
• B) Unnoticed arterial bleeding from disconnected arterial line
• C) Sterile water from back table switched with heparinized saline
• D) Missed breast-feeding 2 hours before procedure

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Definitions:

Parietal Lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex involved in processing sensory information related to touch, spatial orientation, and navigation.

Perception

The process by which individuals organize and interpret their sensory impressions to give meaning to their environment.

Itch

A sensation that causes the desire or reflex to scratch, often resulting from irritation of the skin or underlying issues.

Split-Brain Surgery

A medical procedure that involves severing the corpus callosum to treat severe epilepsy.