The nurse documents a patient's radial pulse rate as 120 beats/min and regular. One hour later, the nurse rechecks the pulse and it is irregular at 120 beats/min. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
a. Ask another nurse to check the pulse.
b. Place the patient on bedrest and administer fluids.
c. Place the patient on a cardiac monitor.
d. Check the pulse in the opposite arm.
C
The pulse is the rhythmic expansion of an artery produced when a bolus of oxygenated blood is forced into it by the contraction of the heart. When the heart rate is of concern, the nurse will most likely place a patient on a cardiac monitor to determine not only the rate but also the rhythm and intensity of the pulse.
You might also like to view...
When the nurse assembles assessment data for an elderly client seeking mental health care,
which risk factors should be identified as predisposing the client to development of geriatric problem drinking? (More than one option may be correct.) A. History of alcohol abuse starting in young adulthood B. Retirement C. Loss of spouse D. Mild recent memory impairment
Team Member A and Team Member B engage in heated disagreements on a frequent basis in team meetings
Their behavior is characterized by insistence on their points of view and refusal to back down or to negotiate alternative solutions once their ideas have been expressed. This be-havior is characteristic of: a. Autocratic leadership. b. Constructive conflict. c. Dualism. d. Creativity.
Which of the following information related to medications should the nurse include in the teaching plan for a client who is positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)?
a. Do not skip a dose. If a dose is missed, double the next dose. b. Take this medication at any time after eating. c. Tell the prescriber if you decide to stop treatment. d. Wait until the next visit before reporting significant side effects.
The ____________________ tube is surgically inserted by the physician by threading the tube through the patient's mouth and into the stomach.
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).