Question

A patient admitted to the ED is noted to have pulse and blood pressure variations with respirations. This is most indicative of __________.

1) cardiac tamponade
2) severe pneumonia
3) congestive heart failure
4) large pleural effusion

Answer 1

Pulse and blood pressure variations with respirations are most indicative of cardiac tamponade, a condition where excess fluid in the pericardial space affects heart function.

Step-by-step explanation:

The presence of pulse and blood pressure variations with respirations is most indicative of cardiac tamponade. This condition occurs when excess fluid builds up in the pericardial space, exerting pressure on the heart and limiting its ability to fill with blood effectively, which can affect the pulse and blood pressure during the respiratory cycle. In cardiac tamponade, the heart's chambers contain less blood over time, and the condition is characterized by such hemodynamic changes. The presence of this symptoms pattern, known as pulsus paradoxus, is less characteristic of severe pneumonia, congestive heart failure, or large pleural effusion, which presents with different sets of clinical symptoms and signs.