Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 93%
Simulated
Passage / Scenario
A nurse is assessing a newborn who has a coarctation of the aorta.A nurse is assessing a newborn who has a coarctation of the aorta. Which of the following should the nurse recognize is a clinical manifestation of coarctation of the aorta?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
The correct answer is B: Increased blood pressure in the arms with decreased blood pressure in the legs. This is due to the narrowing (coarctation) of the aorta, leading to increased pressure upstream (arms) and decreased pressure downstream (legs). Other choices are incorrect because coarctation of the aorta specifically results in this unique blood pressure pattern. Choice A is incorrect as it describes the opposite blood pressure pattern. Choices C and D are incorrect as they do not reflect the characteristic presentation of coarctation of the aorta.