Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Practice Test 2025 - Free CEN Practice Questions and Study Guide

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What is a distinguishing sign of pulsus paradoxus?

Increase in Diastolic Blood Pressure

No Change in Blood Pressure

Decrease in Systolic Blood Pressure

Pulsus paradoxus is characterized by a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure during inspiration. This phenomenon occurs when the pressure in the thoracic cavity changes with breathing, leading to a temporary reduction in venous return to the heart during inhalation. As a result, there's a notable drop in the blood pressure recorded during the inhaled phase of respiration.

In patients experiencing conditions such as cardiac tamponade, severe asthma, or constrictive pericarditis, this decrease can be pronounced and is a critical indicator for diagnosis and management. Therefore, the understanding of pulsus paradoxus hinges on the recognition that systolic blood pressure shows a marked reduction with the respiratory cycle, particularly during inspiration. This distinctive pattern helps clinicians evaluate patients presenting with respiratory distress or signs of cardiac instability.

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Increase in Heart Rate

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