Q: A very narrow pulse pressure on the arterial line suggests all of the following except 

 A) aortic regurgitation 
 B) cardiac tamponade 
C) severe cardiogenic shock 
D) massive pulmonary embolism 
E) tension pneumothorax


Answer: A

Aortic regurgitation causes widened pulse pressure, not a narrow pulse pressure, as in diastole, the arterial pressure drops to fill the left ventricle though the regurgitating aortic valve.