Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC) Practice Test 2025 - Free Pediatric Nursing Practice Questions and Study Guide

The presence of respiratory distress without fever in neonates can indeed indicate an underlying heart disease. This symptom is significant because many congenital heart defects can lead to compromised oxygenation and increased work of breathing. In neonates with heart disease, the heart may not be able to effectively pump blood, leading to fluid accumulation in the lungs and resulting in respiratory distress. This condition manifests through signs such as tachypnea, grunting, or retractions, which occur independently of fever, thus alerting healthcare providers to the potential cardiovascular issue.

While fever with rash, persistent vomiting, and jaundice may reflect other medical conditions, they are not specific indicators of heart disease in neonates. A fever with a rash might suggest infectious processes, and persistent vomiting could indicate gastrointestinal problems. Jaundice, often related to liver function or hemolysis, is also not specifically indicative of heart disease. Thus, respiratory distress without fever serves as a more direct symptom pointing to possible cardiac issues in neonates.