A nurse is providing care to a school-aged child with tetralogy of Fallot. The caregivers ask the nurse if there are any mental health concerns associated with this condition that they should be aware of. Which of the following statements made by the nurse is appropriate?
Explanation & Rationale
A. "Children with tetralogy of Fallot are at greater risk for developing psychiatric disorders. Please call the clinic if you have concerns about changes in their mood or behavior.": Children with congenital heart disease, including tetralogy of Fallot, have an increased risk of neurodevelopmental and mental-health problems; caregivers should monitor and report mood or behavior changes. B. "Children with tetralogy of Fallot may experience more intense mood changes during their teenage years. However, they are not at risk for diagnosis of mental health conditions.": Adolescence can bring emotional changes, but saying there is no risk of diagnosable mental health conditions understates the documented increased risk in this population. C. "Children with congenital heart defects, like tetralogy of Fallot, are not at risk for a mental health diagnosis. There is no need to be concerned about your child.": This statement downplays known associations between congenital heart disease and later neurodevelopmental/psychological issues and could delay needed assessment. D. "Children with tetralogy of Fallot may be at greater risk of anxiety and depression, but there are no concerns regarding psychiatric disorders.": Anxiety and depression are psychiatric disorders; mentioning those symptoms while saying there are no psychiatric concerns is contradictory and may mislead caregivers.