Which of the following statements is true regarding abdominal aortic aneurysm and pulse palpation?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements is true regarding abdominal aortic aneurysm and pulse palpation?

A widened, pulsatile abdominal aorta on palpation can signal an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The normal aorta is about 2 cm in diameter; when it enlarges to around 3 cm or more, it may present as a palpable, pulsatile abdominal mass. This makes a pulse width greater than about 3 cm a reasonable sign to raise suspicion for an AAA and to prompt imaging (such as ultrasound or CT) to confirm and guide management. Palpation is not definitive—small aneurysms can be nonpalpable, and a wide pulse on exam can be influenced by technique or body habitus—so it shouldn’t be used to diagnose. A pulse width greater than 5 cm does not by itself confirm AAA without imaging, and absence of a palpable abdominal pulse does not rule out AAA.

A widened, pulsatile abdominal aorta on palpation can signal an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The normal aorta is about 2 cm in diameter; when it enlarges to around 3 cm or more, it may present as a palpable, pulsatile abdominal mass. This makes a pulse width greater than about 3 cm a reasonable sign to raise suspicion for an AAA and to prompt imaging (such as ultrasound or CT) to confirm and guide management. Palpation is not definitive—small aneurysms can be nonpalpable, and a wide pulse on exam can be influenced by technique or body habitus—so it shouldn’t be used to diagnose. A pulse width greater than 5 cm does not by itself confirm AAA without imaging, and absence of a palpable abdominal pulse does not rule out AAA.

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