Final answer:
Pulsus paradoxus is a drop in systolic blood pressure of more than 10 mmHg with inspiration. It can be observed in conditions like cardiac tamponade.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is D) Pulsus paradoxus. Pulsus paradoxus is a drop in systolic blood pressure of more than 10 mmHg with inspiration. It occurs due to increased pressure on the heart during inspiration, resulting in decreased blood flow to the rest of the body.
An example of pulsus paradoxus is seen in conditions like cardiac tamponade, where there is fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac, compressing the heart and causing impaired filling. This leads to a decrease in systolic blood pressure during inspiration.
This phenomenon can be observed by measuring blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer during inspiration and expiration. During inspiration, the systolic blood pressure will be lower than during expiration by more than 10 mmHg in cases of pulsus paradoxus.