Program Progress:
You are incorrect - our patient's jugular venous pulse wave form shows a prominent, or giant, "a" wave and a smaller "v" wave.
Your choice: Prominent "x" descent
A prominent “x” descent is commonly seen in young, healthy individuals with slow heart rates. The small “a” wave due to right atrial contraction, precedes the prominent systolic “x” descent due to atrial relaxation. In the video, note the prominent “x” descent occurs with the carotid impulse. The cotton swab reflects the carotid impulse.
