Study Guide for Fundamentals of Nursing Care: Concepts, Connections & Skills - Physical Assessment Related

Review Study Guide for Fundamentals of Nursing Care: Concepts, Connections & Skills - Physical Assessment related questions and content

Another nurse working on your floor reports that one of the patients has an apical pulse of 87 bpm and a pulse deficit of 9. You know that means the patient's radial pulse was

  • A. 96 bpm
  • B. 87 bpm with 9 skips
  • C. 78 bpm
  • D. 9 bpm
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Pulse deficit is the difference between apical and radial pulse rates; 87 bpm (apical) - 9 = 78 bpm (radial).