All of the following findings would be expected hi a person with coarctation of the aoa except –
**Core Concept**
Coarctation of the aorta is a congenital anomaly characterized by the narrowing of the aorta, typically at the junction of the aortic arch and the descending aorta. This narrowing can lead to increased resistance to blood flow, resulting in elevated blood pressure in the upper body and decreased blood pressure in the lower body.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The typical findings in a person with coarctation of the aorta include hypertension in the upper extremities, decreased or delayed pulses in the lower extremities, and an increased pulse pressure in the upper extremities. These findings are due to the obstruction of blood flow through the narrowed aortic segment, which leads to increased pressure and flow in the upper body and decreased pressure and flow in the lower body.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** **Delayed or diminished lower extremity pulses** - This is a classic finding in coarctation of the aorta due to the obstruction of blood flow through the narrowed aortic segment.
**Option B:** **Left ventricular hypertrophy** - This is a common finding in coarctation of the aorta due to the increased workload on the left ventricle to pump blood through the narrowed aortic segment.
**Option C:** **Pulsus paradoxus** - This finding is not typically associated with coarctation of the aorta, as it is more commonly seen in conditions such as cardiac tamponade or severe asthma.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A classic physical examination finding in coarctation of the aorta is the presence of a "rib notching" due to the erosion of the ribs by dilated intercostal arteries, which are collateral vessels that develop to bypass the narrowed aortic segment.
**Correct Answer:** C. Pulsus paradoxus