Heart failure develops in a 4-month-old infant with a congenital heart defect, and the infant exhibits marked dyspnea at rest. what should the nurse immediately assess the infant for?

Answer – Pulmonary Edema

Development of heart failure coupled with marked dyspnea at rest in a 4-month old infant who has a congenital heart defect can be attributed to pulmonary edema. The increase in the infant’s blood volume and pressure in the lungs resulting from left ventricular failure causes pulmonary edema. The dyspnea, and early sign of heart failure, is probably caused by the decreased distensibility of the lungs.