A nurse is assessing a client who has pulmonary edema. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A radial pulse is the pulse felt at the wrist, where the radial artery runs along the thumb side of the forearm. It is one of the most common sites for measuring a person's heart rate⁴.

To measure a radial pulse, the examiner should place two or three fingers over the radial artery, just below the wrist crease, and apply gentle pressure until a pulsation is felt. The examiner should not use the thumb, as it has its own pulse and may interfere with the accuracy of the measurement. The examiner should count the number of beats for 15, 30, or 60 seconds, depending on the regularity and rate of the pulse³⁵.

In the picture, the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is using the thumb to measure the radial pulse, which is incorrect. The practical nurse (PN) should demonstrate the correct pulse site to the UAP and explain why using the thumb is not appropriate. This will help to ensure that the UAP obtains an accurate and reliable pulse rate for the client.

A. Correct. The nurse should avoid including raw fruits in the client's diet because they can harbor bacteria and fungi that can cause infection in a client who has neutropenia, which is a low white blood cell count.

B. Incorrect. The nurse should limit visits from anyone who is sick or has been exposed to an infection, but there is no need to restrict visits from young children specifically, as long as they are healthy and follow proper hand hygiene.

C. Incorrect. The nurse should measure the client's temperature at least every 4 hr, or more frequently if indicated, because fever is a sign of infection in a client who has neutropenia and requires prompt intervention.

D. Incorrect. The nurse should use disposable gloves from a box inside the client's room, not outside, to prevent cross-contamination and protect the client from exposure to pathogens.