What could serve as a primary concern for a nurse managing an infant with a known congenital heart defect?

Monitoring for episodes of hyperpnea is critical in managing an infant with a known congenital heart defect due to the potential for increased respiratory effort and distress. Congenital heart defects can lead to compromised oxygenation and may cause the infant to exhibit signs of respiratory compensation, such as hyperpnea, which is an increase in the depth and rate of breathing. This can be a sign of heart failure or inadequate oxygenation, both of which are serious conditions that require prompt attention and intervention.

While monitoring for dehydration, tracking feeding habits, and checking for mild fever are important aspects of general care for infants, they do not directly address the specific respiratory and hemodynamic challenges presented by congenital heart defects. Signs of dehydration may be less immediately relevant in the context of heart defects compared to changes in respiratory status, and tracking feeding habits, while important for growth and development, does not directly correlate to the acute concerns of respiratory distress. A mild fever could be indicative of an infection, but it is the respiratory status that often requires urgent assessment and intervention in these patients.