Final answer:
D. pericardial tamponade. Pericardial tamponade is the condition that should be suspected when a trauma patient has a widening pulse pressure. It occurs when excess fluid accumulates within the pericardial space and puts pressure on the heart, leading to decreased blood ejection.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a trauma patient presents with a widening pulse pressure, the condition that should be suspected is pericardial tamponade. Pericardial tamponade occurs when excess fluid, usually blood, builds up within the pericardial space and puts pressure on the heart. This prevents the heart from fully relaxing and filling with blood, resulting in a decreased amount of blood being ejected from the heart over time. If left untreated, pericardial tamponade can be life-threatening.