Question

Discuss the assessment of the heart in a young child and include one usual abnormal findings.

how can you assess the heart of young infant

Answer 1

#. Physical Assessment of the heart

-Inspection

-Palpation

-Aortic ,pulmonic, Erbs point, tricuspid, PMI, epigastric

-Auscultation

-S1, S2, S3, S4, Snaps opening snaps and clicks murmurs, friction rub

#. Cardiovascular assessment inspection

-no pulsations are visible except at point of maximum impulse (PMI).

-no lifts (heaves) or retractions are evident in four valve areas of chest wall

#. Cardiovascular assessment palpation

-no vibrations or thrills are evident

-no lifts or heaves are evident

-no pulsations are visible except at PMI and epigastric area

#. Cardiovascular assessment vascular palpation

-note skin temperature, texture and turgor

-capillary refill is no more than 3 seconds

-pulses should be in rhythm ad strength

4+ = bounding 3+ = Increased

2+ = Normal 1+ = Week

0 + absent

#. Cardiovascular assessment auscultation

-first heart sound (s1) heard best with stethoscope diaphragm over mitral area

-second heart sounds (s2) hear best with stethoscope diaphragm over aortic sea

-third hear sounds (s3) hear best with stethoscope bell over mitral area

-addition heart sound (s4) heard best with stethoscope with stethoscope bell

#. Abnormal finding - capillary refill time more than 3 secs