Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam

What is a common symptom of a newborn with aortic stenosis?

1. Bradycardia

2. Weak femoral pulses

3. Long capillary refill time

4. Stridor

The correct answer is: Weak femoral pulses

Weak femoral pulses are a common symptom of a newborn with aortic stenosis because this condition involves narrowing of the aortic valve, which impedes blood flow from the heart into the aorta. As a result, the left ventricle must work harder to pump blood through the narrowed valve, leading to poor blood flow and diminished perfusion. This can manifest as weak pulses in the peripheral areas, such as the femoral arteries. The presence of weak femoral pulses can indicate significant difficulty in blood delivery to the lower body, which is critical for assessing hemodynamic status in a newborn with suspected cardiovascular abnormalities. This symptom serves as an essential clinical indicator that warrants further evaluation and management. Understanding the implications of aortic stenosis also helps contextualize why other symptoms are less characteristic. For instance, bradycardia is not typically associated with aortic stenosis and is more relevant to conditions affecting the heart's conduction system. Long capillary refill time might suggest inadequate perfusion, but it lacks the specificity of weak pulses that directly reflect the impact of aortic outflow obstruction. Stridor, meanwhile, indicates an upper airway obstruction or respiratory issue rather than a cardiovascular problem like aortic stenosis.