An infant is brought to the emergency department with suspected coarctation of the aorta. Which clinical symptoms would the nurse expect to find?
Cyanosis of the lips and tongue
Weak or absent femoral pulses
Bounding pulses in the upper extremities
High blood pressure in the lower extremities
Poor feeding and irritability
Correct Answer : B,C,E
A. Cyanosis of the lips and tongue is not a typical finding in coarctation of the aorta; rather, it is more associated with cyanotic congenital heart defects.
B. Weak or absent femoral pulses are expected due to reduced blood flow to the lower body, as the coarctation typically occurs distal to the left subclavian artery.
C. Bounding pulses in the upper extremities are common because the blood flow to the upper body is increased, leading to stronger pulses.
D. High blood pressure in the lower extremities is not typical; instead, there is often lower blood pressure in the lower body due to the obstruction.
E. Poor feeding and irritability are common symptoms in infants with heart conditions, as they may be in distress or not getting enough blood flow to meet their metabolic needs.
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View Related questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Distributive shock, particularly in the context of anaphylaxis, is characterized by widespread vasodilation that leads to a decrease in systemic vascular resistance and impaired blood flow to organs despite normal or increased cardiac output.
B. This option is incorrect because distributive shock involves decreased systemic vascular resistance due to vasodilation rather than an increase.
C. This statement describes hypovolemic shock, not distributive shock. Distributive shock is not primarily caused by the loss of blood volume.
D. While loss of myocardial contractility can lead to cardiogenic shock, it is not the mechanism behind distributive shock, which is related to vascular tone rather than heart function.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Visualizing the epiglottis with a tongue depressor is contraindicated in suspected epiglottitis due to the risk of triggering airway obstruction.
B. Transporting the child to radiology for a throat x-ray is not a priority and can delay necessary interventions.
C. Obtaining a throat culture is not appropriate in this situation, as airway compromise can occur quickly, and immediate management is crucial.
D. Placing the child in an upright position helps ease breathing and can alleviate distress, which is vital for a child with suspected epiglottitis.