When assessing a child for possible congenital heart defects (CHDs), where should the nurse measure blood pressure?

Question

a. The right arm
b. The left arm
c. All four extremities
d. Both arms while the child is crying

Answer 1

C
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A Blood pressure measurements for upper and lower extremities are compared
during an assessment for CHDs.
B Discrepancies in blood pressure between the upper and lower extremities cannot
be determined if blood pressure is not measured in all four extremities.
C When a CHD is suspected, the blood pressure should be measured in all four
extremities while the child is quiet. Discrepancies between upper and lower
extremities may indicate cardiac disease.
D Blood pressure measurements when the child is crying are likely to be elevated;
thus the readings will be inaccurate. Also, all four extremities need to be
measured.