The NANDA-I ND, risk for bleeding (code 00206), is
defined as “at risk for a decrease in blood volume that may
compromise health”(1). The surgical procedure and ECMO are
both strongly related to bleeding in children. Neonates and
small infants are the highest risk group for excessive bleeding
after cardiac surgery(11). Hemodilution, and the consequent
decrease in platelets and coagulation factor, is the most important
mechanism for the development of coagulopathy in this
clinical situation, due to the large discrepancy in the child’s
blood volume and the priming volume of the bypass circuit(11).
Following surgical correction of CHD requiring ECMO, bleeding
occurs in 63% of pediatric patients(11) mainly due to the
need for surface heparinization of the system(12).
Bleeding precautions (Code 4010) is a NIC defined as “reduction
of stimuli that may induce bleeding or hemorrhage in
at-risk patients”(2). Bleeding reduction (Code 4020) is defined
as “limitation of the loss of blood volume during an episode
of bleeding”(2). These interventions primarily include monitoring
and observational activities, important components of
surveillance: a mental process of sustained attention through
which nurses can determine if and when the readiness to
rescue the patient from bleeding has become a need for rescue(10).
Although blood loss via chest tubes is expected after
cardiac surgeries, the risk of excessive loss requires vigilance
with regard to output, coagulation exams and vital signs in
order to early detect the need for blood product transfusion as
well as transfusion reactions(11).
The NANDA-I ND, impaired spontaneous ventilation
(00033), is defined as “decreased energy reserves resulting in an
inability to maintain independent breathing that is adequate to
support life”(1). Although no information was found in the literature
on the prevalence of impaired spontaneous ventilation in pediatric
ICU, it was identified as the third most prevalent diagnosis
in an adult ICU(13). Ventilatory support must be introduced early
to improve oxygenation, decrease the risk of metabolic acidosis,
and reduce oxygen consumption resulting from muscular effort.
It must also be optimized so that the increased intrathoracic pressure
does not decrease the venous return and cardiac output(14)