Question

Which of the following conditions would MOST likely cause the blood pressure to vary between the left arm and right arm?

a) cardiac tamponade
b) aortic aneurysm
c) left heart failure
d) cor pulmonale

Answer 1

An aortic aneurysm is the most likely condition to cause a variance in blood pressure between the left arm and right arm due to the potential to obstruct blood flow unequally.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the options provided, the condition that would most likely cause blood pressure to vary between the left arm and right arm is b) aortic aneurysm. An aortic aneurysm may lead to the development of a condition known as aortic dissection, where the layers within the aorta's wall split apart, allowing blood to flow between them. This can cause a significant obstruction of blood flow, potentially leading to different blood pressures between the two arms. Conditions like cardiac tamponade and left heart failure are more global and affect blood pressures generally rather than differentially between the arms. Cor pulmonale, which refers to right-heart failure due to lung disease, primarily affects the pulmonary circulation and is less likely to cause differential arm blood pressures.

Answer 2

The condition most likely to cause variations in blood pressure between the left and right arms is aortic aneurysm aortic aneurysm involves dilation of the aortic wall, impacting blood flow differently in various parts of the body. Therefore, the correct answer is b) aortic aneurysm

Step-by-step explanation:

The condition most likely to cause variations in blood pressure between the left arm and right arm is aortic aneurysm.

Aortic aneurysm involves the dilation or bulging of the aortic wall, and it can impact blood flow differently in various parts of the body. A large aneurysm may lead to unequal pulses and blood pressure readings between the arms.

Options a, c, and d are less likely to cause significant variations in blood pressure between arms:

a) Cardiac tamponade involves fluid accumulation around the heart, affecting cardiac function, but it may not necessarily cause a notable difference in blood pressure readings between arms.

c) Left heart failure and d) Cor pulmonale can affect systemic circulation, but they may not lead to significant differences in blood pressure between the arms.