National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) Practice Test

An irregular pulse deficit is most characteristic of which condition?

1. Heart failure

2. Subclavian steal syndrome

3. Atrial fibrillation

4. Ventricular tachycardia

The correct answer is: Subclavian steal syndrome

An irregular pulse deficit is most closely associated with conditions that disrupt the normal rhythm and rate of the heartbeat, leading to discrepancies between heartbeats and pulse sensations. Atrial fibrillation is particularly notable for this phenomenon. This condition is characterized by disorganized electrical activity in the atria, leading to an irregular and often rapid ventricular response. As a result, not every atrial contraction leads to a corresponding pulse due to the irregular intervals and the rapid nature of the heart's rhythm. In the case of atrial fibrillation, patients may experience a palpable pulse that is irregularly irregular, meaning it lacks a consistent pattern and may result in a lower pulse rate than heartbeats, manifesting as a pulse deficit. This unique presentation makes it a key condition where irregular pulse deficits can be noted. Other conditions, such as heart failure and ventricular tachycardia, may present with different types of pulse characteristics but do not typically result in the same irregular pulse deficit pattern as seen in atrial fibrillation. Subclavian steal syndrome primarily involves blood flow issues related to the subclavian artery rather than the irregular heart rhythm relevant to pulse deficits, making it less characteristic in this context.