Coarctation of the aorta demonstrates few symptoms in newborns.
What is an important assessment for the nurse to make on all newborns to help reveal this condition?
Auscultating for a cardiac murmur.
Recording blood pressure in upper extremities.
Assessing for the presence of femoral pulses.
Observing for excessive crying.
The Correct Answer is C
The correct answer is Choice C.
Choice A rationale
Auscultating for a cardiac murmur can be helpful but is not the most specific assessment for coarctation of the aorta. Murmurs can be present in various cardiac conditions.
Choice B rationale
Recording blood pressure in the upper extremities alone is not sufficient. Coarctation of the aorta often presents with a discrepancy between upper and lower extremity blood pressures.
Choice C rationale
Assessing for the presence of femoral pulses is crucial. In coarctation of the aorta, there is decreased blood flow to the lower extremities, leading to weak or absent femoral pulses.
Choice D rationale
Observing for excessive crying is non-specific and can be associated with many conditions, not just coarctation of the aorta.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is Choice A.
Choice A rationale
The apex of the heart (apical pulse) is the preferred site for assessing the heart rate in infants. It is located at the point of maximal impulse (PMI) and provides the most accurate measurement of the heart rate in this age group.
Choice B rationale
The brachial artery is not the preferred site for assessing the heart rate in infants. While it can be used for blood pressure measurement, it is not as accurate as the apical pulse for heart rate assessment.
Choice C rationale
The radial artery is not typically used for assessing the heart rate in infants. It is more commonly used in older children and adults.
Choice D rationale
The carotid artery is not recommended for assessing the heart rate in infants due to the risk of compressing the airway and causing discomfort.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is Choice D.
Choice A rationale
A diastolic murmur is not a typical finding in coarctation of the aorta. This condition is more commonly associated with systolic murmurs.
Choice B rationale
Hypotension is not a common finding in coarctation of the aorta. In fact, hypertension in the upper extremities is more typical due to the narrowing of the aorta.
Choice C rationale
Excessive crying is not a specific indicator of coarctation of the aorta. It can be a symptom of many different conditions and is not diagnostic.
Choice D rationale
Unequal upper and lower extremity pulses are a key finding in coarctation of the aorta. The narrowing of the aorta causes reduced blood flow to the lower extremities, resulting in weaker pulses compared to the upper extremities.
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