Poor Feeding in Pediatrics — Case | Pediatric Cardiology | SMLE Q#1149
SMLE Question #1149
Pediatrics
Pediatric Cardiology
Last updated: February 2026
A 2-day-old term male presents with poor feeding, tachypnea, and lethargy. He has subcostal retractions, cool extremities, weak femoral pulses, capillary refill of 4 seconds, and mild hepatomegaly. Cardiac exam shows a parasternal heave and a single second heart sound without a clear murmur. A duct-dependent congenital heart lesion with critical systemic outflow obstruction is suspected. What is the most essential initial step in management?
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