A nurse is assessing a newborn who has a coarctation of the aorta. Which of the following should the nurse recognize as a clinical manifestation of coarctation of the aorta?
Increased blood pressure in the arms with decreased blood pressure in the legs
Increased blood pressure in both the arms and the legs
Decreased blood pressure in both the arms and the legs
Decreased blood pressure in the arms with increased blood pressure in the legs
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
In coarctation of the aorta, the narrowing of the aorta typically occurs after the arteries that supply the upper body branch off. This results in higher blood pressure in the arms and lower blood pressure in the legs. The difference in blood pressure between the upper and lower extremities is a key diagnostic indicator of this condition.
Choice B Reason:
Increased blood pressure in both the arms and the legs is not characteristic of coarctation of the aorta. This condition specifically causes a disparity in blood pressure between the upper and lower parts of the body due to the narrowing of the aorta.
Choice C Reason:
Decreased blood pressure in both the arms and the legs is not a typical manifestation of coarctation of the aorta. The condition usually leads to increased blood pressure in the upper body and decreased blood pressure in the lower body.
Choice D Reason:
Decreased blood pressure in the arms with increased blood pressure in the legs is the opposite of what is seen in coarctation of the aorta. The narrowing of the aorta causes higher pressure in the upper body and lower pressure in the lower body.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
The statement “My baby will be placed under special lights if the test result is positive” indicates a need for additional teaching. This statement is incorrect because special lights are used for treating jaundice, not phenylketonuria (PKU). PKU is a genetic disorder that requires dietary management, not light therapy. If a newborn tests positive for PKU, the treatment involves a special diet low in phenylalanine to prevent the buildup of this amino acid in the body, which can cause brain damage and other serious health issues.
Choice B Reason:
The statement “This test checks for a genetic disorder that can be managed by diet” is correct. PKU is indeed a genetic disorder that can be managed through a strict diet low in phenylalanine. This diet helps prevent the accumulation of phenylalanine in the body, which can lead to intellectual disabilities and other health problems. Therefore, this statement does not indicate a need for additional teaching.
Choice C Reason:
The statement “Sometimes the test is repeated in the doctor’s office at the baby’s 2-week check-up” is also correct. It is common practice to repeat the PKU test if the initial test was done before the baby was 24 hours old. This ensures accurate results and helps in early detection and management of the disorder. Hence, this statement does not indicate a need for additional teaching.
Choice D Reason:
The statement “My baby needs to be on formula or breast milk before the test can be done” is accurate. For the PKU test to be effective, the baby needs to have ingested some protein from breast milk or formula. This is because the test measures the level of phenylalanine in the blood, which comes from protein intake. Therefore, this statement does not indicate a need for additional teaching.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A: Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is a condition characterized by an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain, leading to increased pressure inside the skull. This can cause an enlarged head, developmental delays, and other neurological impairments. While hydrocephalus can be associated with neural tube defects, it is not itself a neural tube defect. It can occur as a secondary condition to neural tube defects like spina bifida, but it is not classified as one.
Choice B: Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect movement, muscle tone, and posture. It is caused by damage to the developing brain, often before birth. Cerebral palsy is not a neural tube defect; it is a result of brain injury or malformation during brain development. Neural tube defects specifically refer to abnormalities in the development of the neural tube, which forms the brain and spinal cord.
Choice C: Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy is a group of genetic diseases characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles that control movement. It is caused by mutations in genes responsible for muscle function. Muscular dystrophy is not related to neural tube defects; it is a separate category of genetic disorders affecting muscle tissue rather than the neural tube.
Choice D: Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is a type of neural tube defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord do not form properly. It is one of the most common neural tube defects and can lead to physical and neurological impairments. Spina bifida can range in severity from mild to severe, depending on the extent of the spinal cord involvement. It is a direct result of the neural tube failing to close completely during early embryonic development.
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