Watson's water hammer pulse is also known as:

Appeared in: DSSSB October 2024

Explanation

Watson's water hammer pulse is the eponym for a specific type of bounding pulse, which is also known as Corrigan's pulse or a collapsing pulse.
It is characterized by a rapid, forceful upstroke (the 'water hammer' impact) followed by a sudden collapse.
This sign is a classic indicator of chronic aortic regurgitation, a condition where the aortic valve's failure to close properly leads to a backflow of blood, causing a widened pulse pressure (high systolic, low diastolic pressure).

Option A: Pulsus alternans is defined by a beat-to-beat variation in pulse amplitude, where strong and weak beats alternate while the rhythm remains regular.
Option C: A dicrotic pulse has two palpable peaks for each heartbeat, one in systole and a smaller one in diastole. This is different from the single, collapsing beat of a water hammer pulse.
Option D: Paradoxical pulse (pulsus paradoxus) is an exaggerated drop (greater than 10 mmHg) in systolic blood pressure during inspiration. It relates to respiratory effect on blood pressure, not the character of an individual pulse beat.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Eponyms and characteristics of abnormal arterial pulses as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Recognizing a water hammer pulse during a physical assessment is a critical nursing skill that can lead to the early identification of significant aortic regurgitation.
Assessment involves palpating the radial or brachial artery while elevating the patient's arm, which accentuates the collapsing nature of the pulse.
The presence of this pulse warrants notifying the healthcare provider for further diagnostic workup, such as an echocardiogram, to confirm the underlying valvular disease.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core term in the question: 'Watson's water hammer pulse'.
The question asks for a synonym ('also known as'), which makes this a factual recall question about medical terminology.
Recall the definition of Watson's water hammer pulse. It is a bounding, forceful pulse that suddenly collapses.
Evaluate each option. Corrigan's pulse is the historical eponym for this exact finding.
The other options describe different, distinct pulse abnormalities: pulsus alternans (alternating strength), dicrotic pulse (double beat), and paradoxical pulse (inspiratory pressure drop).
Select the option that is a direct synonym for the term in the stem.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 pp. 2085-2087, 1903-1905

E6 Medicine Macleod Clinical Examination 15e p. 61-63

Practise the full DSSSB October 2024

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.