A nurse is checking a patient’s pulse and determines that the rate is irregular. How long should the nurse measure the pulse?

Choice A reason: A friction rub is a scratching or squeaking sound from inflamed pleural surfaces, persisting throughout the respiratory cycle and unaffected by coughing, as pleural inflammation (e.g., pleurisy) causes consistent friction. Accurate recognition ensures proper reporting, guiding diagnosis and treatment of underlying conditions like pneumonia or pulmonary embolism in respiratory assessments.

Choice B reason: Assuming false is incorrect, as friction rubs indeed persist through the respiratory cycle without clearing by coughing, unlike rhonchi. Misidentifying this risks misdiagnosis, potentially overlooking pleural inflammation needing anti-inflammatory or antibiotic therapy, delaying treatment and increasing complications in patients with respiratory conditions causing friction rubs.

Choice A reason: Vital signs are objective, measurable data, not specific to musculoskeletal assessment or subjective experience. Pain, a subjective report, better fits the question. Assuming vital signs are subjective risks misclassifying data, leading to errors in prioritizing patient-reported symptoms like pain, critical for musculoskeletal care planning and intervention.

Choice B reason: Taking NSAIDs is a factual history, not a subjective assessment. Subjective data, like pain severity, reflect patient experience. Assuming medication use is subjective misaligns with assessment principles, risking neglect of patient-reported symptoms like pain, essential for evaluating musculoskeletal conditions and guiding effective pain management strategies.

Choice C reason: Pain rated 7 to 8 is subjective, based on the patient’s personal experience, central to musculoskeletal assessment for conditions like arthritis or injury. This guides pain management, like adjusting NSAIDs. Accurate identification ensures patient-centered care, addressing discomfort and improving function, critical for musculoskeletal health outcomes.

Choice D reason: Grimacing and holding a body part are objective, observable signs, not subjective reports. Pain severity, reported by the patient, is subjective. Assuming grimacing is subjective risks misclassification, potentially overlooking patient-reported pain levels, critical for tailoring interventions like analgesics in musculoskeletal assessment and care planning.