The nursing instructor is talking with the junior nursing class about caring for immunodeficient patients
Why would the instructor explain that when taking the patient's pulse and respiratory rate you need to count them for a full minute?
A) That is how you are supposed to take the pulse and respiratory rate
B) To monitor for subtle changes
C) To account for counting errors
D) To make sure the pulse rate matches the apical heart rate
Ans: B
Feedback: Pulse rate and respiratory rate should be counted for a full minute, because subtle changes can signal deterioration in the patient's clinical status. Options A, C, and D are incorrect reasons for counting the pulse and respiratory rates for a full minute.
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