The respiratory therapist is monitoring the blood pressure of a patient in the emergency department and notes that the blood pressure is 15 mm Hg less on inspiration than on expiration
Which of the following would most likely result in this finding?
a. The patient is hypovolemic.
b. The patient has a pulmonary embolism.
c. The patient is having a myocardial infarction.
d. The patient is having a severe exacerbation of asthma.
D
A change in blood pressure that is more than 10 mm Hg lower on inspiration than on expiration is known as pulsus paradoxus. This exaggerated waxing and waning of arterial blood pressure can be detected with a sphygmomanometer or, in severe cases, by palpating the pulse at the wrist or neck. Commonly associated with severe asthmatic episodes, pulsus paradoxus is believed to be caused by the major intrapleural pressure swings that occur during inspiration and expiration.
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You walk up the stairs of a house to respond to a call of an elderly man. You notice that the stairs do not have any handrails. After responding to the reason why he called 911, what suggestion would you give to this patient to avoid falls in the future?
A) He should install a handrail on the front steps to avoid any falls. B) It is illegal to not have a handrail on the front steps and it must be fixed immediately. C) It is a good idea there are no handrails on the front steps as this negatively impacts his balance as he walks up the stairs. D) Nothing, there is no problem.
What is the name of the federal agency that establishes and enforces standards that protect workers from job-related injuries and illnesses?