A thready pulse indicates

• A. Strong cardiac output
• B. Poor peripheral perfusion
• C. Excellent perfusion
• D. Hypervolemia

Answer: (B)

Pulse quality reflects how well blood is reaching the periphery. A thready, weak pulse means there's not enough blood being pumped to or through the small arteries in the extremities, so the arterial pressure is low and the pulse feels faint or "thin." This indicates poor peripheral perfusion, a common sign in states like dehydration, significant blood loss, or heart pump failure, where the body can't maintain adequate circulation to the limbs. In contrast, a strong or bounding pulse suggests better perfusion, and hypervolemia often produces a fuller pulse rather than a thready one.