Pals

Front 1

Definition of narrow pulse pressure

Back 1

If the diastolic blood pressure is less than 25 percent of the systolic blood pressure, the pulse pressure is considered to be narrow.

A narrow pulse pressure in a hypovolemic shock patient indicates a decreasing cardiac output and an increasing peripheral vascular resistance. The decreasing venous volume from blood loss and the sympathetic nervous system attempt to increase or maintain the falling blood pressure through systemic vasoconstriction. This increase in heart rate and myocardial contractility is reflected in the decreasing systolic BP, the increasing diastolic BP and the narrowing pulse pressure. Thus, a blood pressure of 102/88 mmHg no longer appears to be “normal” and requires further assessment of heart rate, respiratory rate and other signs of perfusion, such as the skin color, temperature, condition and the patient’s mental status.

Front 2

Definition of wide pulse pressure

Back 2

If the diastolic blood pressure is more than 50 percent of the systolic blood pressure, the pulse pressure is considered to be narrow.

Front 3

Wide or narrow bp in hypovolemic shock?

Back 3

narrow pulse pressure

(normal OR low bp)

Front 4

Wide or narrow pulse pressure in distributive shock?

Back 4

wide OR narrow

(normal OR low bp)

Front 5

Wide or narrow pulse pressure in cardiogenic shock?

Back 5

narrow

(normal OR low bp)

Front 6

Wide or narrow pulse pressure in obstructive shock?

Back 6

narrow

(normal OR low bp)