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You arrive on scene to find an unconscious 34 year old male. You palpate the radial pulse but it is absent. You are able to palpate a strong carotid pulse. What is your patient's approximate systolic blood pressure?

A. 40 mmhg
B. 60-70 mmhg
C. 80-90 mmhg
D. 90-100 mmhg

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The estimated systolic blood pressure for an unconscious patient with an absent radial pulse but a strong carotid pulse is likely above 70 mm Hg but less than 90-100 mm Hg. Immediate medical assessment and treatment are necessary.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing an unconscious patient with an absent radial pulse but a palpable carotid pulse, we can make an approximate estimation of the patient's systolic blood pressure. The presence of a carotid pulse suggests that the systolic blood pressure is at least 60-70 mm Hg, as blood is still being circulated to the brain. However, the absence of a radial pulse typically suggests that the systolic blood pressure may not be high enough to reach the peripheral vessels, such as those in the wrist.

In general, a palpable radial pulse can usually be felt if the systolic blood pressure is approximately 90-100 mm Hg or higher. Therefore, in this patient's case, where the radial pulse is absent but the carotid pulse is strong, the estimated systolic blood pressure is likely just above 70 mm Hg, but less than 90-100 mm Hg. It's important to proceed with immediate medical evaluation and treatment to properly assess the patient's condition.

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