A nurse is completing an assessment of a newborn, including obtaining blood pressure measurements at each extremity. Which of the following findings suggests coarctation of the aorta?
Low systolic blood pressure in the upper extremities and elevated systolic blood pressure in the lower extremities
Elevated systolic blood pressure in the upper extremities and elevated systolic blood pressure in the lower extremities
Low systolic blood pressure in the upper extremities and low systolic blood pressure in the lower extremities
Elevated systolic blood pressure in the upper extremities and low systolic blood pressure in the lower extremities
The Correct Answer is D
A. Low systolic blood pressure in the upper extremities and elevated systolic blood pressure in the lower extremities. – Incorrect. Coarctation of the aorta causes the opposite finding.
B. Elevated systolic blood pressure in the upper extremities and elevated systolic blood pressure in the lower extremities. – Incorrect. Blood pressure in the lower extremities is reduced due to decreased blood flow.
C. Low systolic blood pressure in the upper extremities and low systolic blood pressure in the lower extremities. – Incorrect. Coarctation of the aorta leads to hypertension in the upper body due to increased resistance.
D. Elevated systolic blood pressure in the upper extremities and low systolic blood pressure in the lower extremities. – Correct. Coarctation of the aorta causes high BP in the arms and low BP in the legs due to obstructed blood flow past the narrowing.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Influenza vaccine – Incorrect. The inactivated influenza vaccine is safe and recommended.
B. MMR vaccine and Varicella vaccine – Correct. Live vaccines should be avoided for 11 months after receiving IV immunoglobulin therapy for Kawasaki disease, as it can interfere with vaccine efficacy.
C. Polio vaccine – Incorrect. The inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is safe; however, the oral live polio vaccine (OPV) is not recommended in some cases.
D. Hepatitis vaccine – Incorrect. The hepatitis B vaccine is not a live vaccine and can be safely given.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","E","F"]
Explanation
A. Monitoring for tachycardia – Correct. Tachycardia is an early sign of heart failure as the heart attempts to compensate for decreased cardiac output.
B. Observing for diaphoresis during feeding – Correct. Infants with heart failure often exhibit sweating while feeding due to increased effort and oxygen demand.
C. Monitoring for polyuria – Incorrect. Infants with heart failure are more likely to have oliguria due to poor perfusion, not excessive urination.
D. Checking for hyperthermia – Incorrect. Fever is not a primary sign of heart failure unless an infection is present.
E. Assessing for hepatomegaly – Correct. Hepatomegaly occurs due to systemic venous congestion, a hallmark of right-sided heart failure.
F. Evaluating feeding difficulties – Correct. Poor feeding and failure to thrive are common in infants with heart failure due to fatigue and respiratory distress.
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