Which physical assessment finding might indicate impaired cardiac output?

Impaired cardiac output can lead to inadequate blood flow to the skin, resulting in changes in skin temperature and moisture. When a patient exhibits cold, clammy skin, it often indicates reduced perfusion as the body attempts to redirect blood flow to vital organs during times of stress or compromised circulation. These symptoms suggest that the body might not be receiving adequate blood supply, which is a key concern in conditions associated with decreased cardiac output.

In contrast, bounding pulses might indicate increased cardiac output or fluid overload rather than impairment. Warm, flush skin is typically associated with conditions where the body is effectively perfusing tissues, such as fever or vasodilation. Clear lung sounds suggest that there is no fluid in the lungs, which can indicate good cardiac function rather than impaired output. The presence of clear lung sounds further diminishes the likelihood of cardiac output problems linked to pulmonary congestion. Thus, cold, clammy skin is the physical assessment finding that most directly signifies impaired cardiac output.