As part of preoperative teaching for a family of a child undergoing Tetralogy of Fallot repair, the nurse would state that the child may:

• A. Be placed on a reduced sodium diet
• B. Have an activity restriction for several days
• C. Be assigned to an isolation room
• D. Have visits limited to a select few

Answer: (A)

Managing fluid and electrolyte balance is a key part of preparing a child with a heart defect for major surgery. A reduced sodium diet helps prevent fluid retention and edema, which can place extra strain on the heart and complicate anesthesia and recovery. This is why the nurse would explain that the child may be placed on a low-sodium diet preoperatively. The other scenarios aren’t standard preoperative instructions: isolation isn’t needed for a noninfectious condition, activity restrictions for several days aren’t routinely required before surgery, and family visits aren’t typically limited in that way during preop teaching.