A newborn is diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta. Which assessment should the nurse make when caring for this infant?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the coarctation is slight, absence of palpable femoral pulses from the decreased blood pressure in the lower body may be the only symptom seen. To help detect this, the nurse should always include evaluation of femoral pulses in all initial newborn assessments and admission inspections to newborn nurseries. Excessive crying, cardiac murmur, and blood pressure changes are not manifestations of coarctation of the aorta.

A Newborn Is Diagnosed with Coarctation of the Aorta