NBCE Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners

The most characteristic finding of a myocardial infarction is a thready pulse. A myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, resulting in damage to the heart muscle. As the heart struggles to pump effectively during such an event, it can lead to reduced blood pressure and a weakened pulse, characterized as thready. This indicates a diminished stroke volume and overall cardiac output, reflecting the compromised state of the heart.

The other findings mentioned are less indicative of a myocardial infarction. Bradycardia, or a slow heart rate, can occur in various conditions and is not specific to heart attacks. Jaundice, which indicates liver dysfunction or hemolysis, is unrelated to cardiac events and does not provide information about heart function. A regular pulse may suggest a stable condition but does not typically reflect the underlying physiological stress or damage associated with a myocardial infarction. Thus, a thready pulse most accurately denotes the compromised state of the cardiovascular system during this critical event.