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Adult Nurse Practitioner Exam Prep

Category - AANPCP Adult Nurse Practioner Practice Test

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A 43-year-old woman presents with difficulty breathing and distended neck veins. Pulsus paradoxus is recognized on assessment. No pulse is detected on palpation of the femoral artery. Other significant findings include muffled heart sounds, dyspnea, and tachycardia. What is the most likely diagnosis?
  1. Pericardial effusion
  2. Cardiac tamponade
  3. Pericarditis
  4. Chronic constrictive pericarditis
Explanation
Answer - B - Cardiac tamponade is commonly manifested by pulsus paradoxus. Cardiac tamponade is a medical emergency, requiring immediate treatment. Rapid collection of fluid in the pericardial sac interferes with ventricular filing and pumping, critically reducing cardiac output.
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