During significant blood loss, which statement best describes the change in pulse pressure?

• A. Pulse pressure narrows due to vasoconstriction.
• B. Pulse pressure widens due to increased stroke volume.
• C. Pulse pressure remains unchanged.
• D. Pulse pressure becomes highly volatile.

Answer: (A)

Pulse pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures. During significant blood loss, the body’s response includes vasoconstriction to maintain blood pressure, while preload and stroke volume fall because less blood returns to the heart. Systolic pressure drops as the heart ejects less blood, and diastolic pressure tends to rise due to increased vascular resistance from vasoconstriction. The combination makes the gap between systolic and diastolic pressures smaller, so pulse pressure narrows. This narrowing reflects reduced stroke volume and the compensatory vasoconstriction in hypovolemia.