Question

*********You are examining a 21-year-old man who is seeking a sports clearance physical examination. He is generally healthy with an unremarkable medical history. During cardiovascular examination, you identify a physiologic split S2 and realize that this:

Is usually first noticed in early adulthood.
Can progress to a pathologic condition during adulthood.
Will be more pronounced with inspiration.
Is associated with S4 heart sound.

Answer 1

A physiological split S2 is a normal finding during cardiovascular examination, usually first noticed in early adulthood. It is harmless and more pronounced with inspiration. It is not associated with the S4 heart sound.

Step-by-step explanation:

A physiological split S2 is a normal finding during cardiovascular examination in healthy individuals. It is the delay in the closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves, resulting in a split sound during auscultation. This split is more pronounced during inspiration due to changes in intrathoracic pressure.

Unlike a pathological split S2, which can occur in certain heart conditions, a physiological split S2 is harmless and does not require further testing or treatment. It is common in young adults and can be heard in athletes and individuals with a healthy heart.

A physiologic split S2 is not associated with the S4 heart sound. The S4 heart sound, also known as the atrial gallop, is heard in conditions such as left ventricular hypertrophy or heart failure.