Home › CNA Practice Tests › Basic Nursing Skills Questions › Question 21
While counting a radial pulse, the assistant feels beats that are sometimes early and sometimes skipped, with no steady pattern. What should the assistant do?
- A.Count for one full minute and report the irregular rhythm
- B.Count for 15 seconds and multiply by four
- C.Ignore the pattern and chart the pulse as regular
- D.Tell the resident his heart is seriously diseased
Correct answer
A. Count for one full minute and report the irregular rhythm
Why
An irregular pulse should be counted for one full minute for accuracy and reported to the nurse. Short counts can miss the irregularity, and the assistant should report observations rather than give a diagnosis.
Content outline: Basic Nursing Skills - Vital Signs: Pulse · From the Basic Nursing Skills practice bank (BN-021).