The nurse palpates a radial pulse on her 80-year-old patient and notes that it feels irregular. What is the most appropriate method to count this patient's pulse?
a. Count for 15 seconds, multiply by 4.
b. Count for 30 seconds, multiply by 2.
c. Count for 1 full minute.
d. Count for 10 seconds multiply by 6.
C
The intervals between heartbeats establish a pulse pattern known as the rhythm. Normally, the heat beats at regular intervals, much like a metronome. When the intervals between beats are enough to be noticeable, the rhythm is abnormal. When assessing an irregular pulse, it is important to determine whether the beat is regularly irregular or irregularly irregular. To make this distinction, the nurse must count the rate for 1 full minute.
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