Nursing care for the parents of a child with a congenital heart defect would include:

It is important to discuss with parents the need to treat the child as they would any other children, but they must be truthful and honest with the child about the heart defect. As the child grows older, explanations can go into greater depth. Parents of children with congenital heart defects go through a grieving process over the loss of their 'healthy' child. The nurse needs to recognize these feelings and give the parents a role in the child's care when they are ready. Anger and resentment are normal feelings that must be dealt with appropriately. Parents may go through a second grieving process after the repair of the cardiac defect. During this grieving period, they mourn the loss of the 'defective' child who now may be essentially 'normal.'