When assessing a patient's pulse, the nurse notes that the amplitude is weaker during inspiration and stronger during expiration. When the nurse measures the blood pressure, the reading decreases 20 mm Hg during inspiration and increases with expiration. What do these findings indicate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In pulsus paradoxus, beats have weaker amplitude with inspiration and stronger amplitude with expiration and is best determined during blood pressure measurement; reading decreases (>10 mm Hg) during inspiration and increases with expiration. In pulsus alternans, the rhythm is regular, but force varies, with alternating beats of large and small amplitude. In pulsus bisferiens, each pulse has two strong systolic peaks with a dip in between and is best assessed at the carotid artery. In pulsus bigeminus, the beats are coupled, every other beat comes early, or normal beat is followed by a premature beat. The force of the premature beat is decreased because of shortened cardiac filling time. This patient's weaker amplitude during inspiration and stronger during expiration is pulsus paradoxus.

When Assessing a Patient's Pulse, the Nurse Notes That the Amplitude