The nurse has determined the rate of both the child's radial pulse and heart. What is the normal finding when comparing the two rates?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In a normal healthy individual, the rate of the radial pulse (peripheral pulse) and the heart rate (apical pulse) should be the same. This is because each heartbeat should result in a corresponding pulse felt at the radial artery in the wrist. The pulse is generated by the heart's contraction and the subsequent ejection of blood into the arteries, causing a wave of pressure that can be felt as the pulse. Therefore, in a healthy individual, the radial pulse rate should match the heart rate. If there is a significant difference between the two rates, it may indicate a cardiovascular abnormality or other underlying health condition that warrants further investigation.