When measuring the blood pressure of a newborn the nurse notes a decrease of 10 mm Hg in the thigh when compared to the measurement in the arm. This drop in blood pressure is characteristic of:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A decrease in blood pressure of 10 mm Hg in the thigh compared to the arm is characteristic of anomalies of the aorta, such as coarctation of the aorta, where there is a narrowing of the aorta that can lead to a pressure gradient between the upper and lower extremities.

When Measuring the Blood Pressure of a Newborn the Nurse