Your patient reported pulse volume of 2+/4+, which indicates that his pulse is

Question

a. absent. c. normal.
b. thready or weak. d. bounding.

Answer 1

C
Pulse volume (also called pulse strength or amplitude) reflects the stroke volume and the peripheral vasculature resistance (afterload). It can range from absent to bounding. The two most commonly used scales are a 3-point and a 4-point scale. When reporting pulse volume, 2+/4+ indicates a normal pulse (2+) on a 4-point scale, whereas 2+/3+ indicates a normal pulse (2+) on a 3-point scale; therefore, your patient's pulse volume of 2+/4+ is normal. On a 3-point scale, an absent pulse is a 0; thready or weak is a 1+; normal is a 2+; and bounding is a 3+. On a 4-point scale, an absent pulse volume is a 0; a thready or weak is a 1+; normal is a 2+; increased is a 3+; and bounding is a 4+.