Paramedic National Registry Practice 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

In a patient with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), the vital sign that indicates the need for rapid intervention is hypotension, as reflected in the blood pressure reading of 86/40. This significantly low blood pressure suggests that the patient is experiencing inadequate perfusion and may be in shock. In CHF, the heart's ability to pump effectively is compromised, which can lead to fluid overload and ultimately result in low cardiac output.

When blood pressure drops to this level, it raises critical concerns about the patient’s stability and potential progression toward more severe complications, such as cardiac arrest or organ failure. Therefore, immediate action is necessary to stabilize the patient and potentially correct the underlying issues, such as administering intravenous fluids, medications, or other life-saving interventions.

The other blood pressure readings show levels that, while potentially concerning, do not indicate the same immediate level of urgency in terms of intervention. The readings of 120/70, 110/60, and 130/80, while they could require monitoring and further assessment, do not signify the same critical state of shock present in the 86/40 reading. Therefore, the choice indicating 86/40 is the most urgent and requires rapid intervention.