Patient CareQuestion 2 of 100
A resting adult patient has a radial pulse of 54 beats per minute. What is the most accurate description of this finding?
a.Tachycardia, because the rate is above 100 bpm
b.A normal adult resting rate
c.Bradycardia, because the rate is below 60 bpm
d.An irregular rhythm that requires no documentation
Explanation
The normal adult resting pulse is 60 to 100 beats per minute, so a rate of 54 bpm is bradycardia. Tachycardia describes a rate above 100 bpm, which does not apply here. Any abnormal rate must be documented and reported to the provider, and a well-conditioned athlete may still need provider review.
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