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 stethoscope assesses heart sounds, detecting murmurs or irregular beats, but does not measure electrical conduction. It provides auditory data on valve function, not heart rate or rhythm via electrical activity. Electrocardiograms are required for detailed analysis of cardiac electrical patterns, making this choice incorrect.

Choice B reason: A blood pressure cuff measures arterial pressure, reflecting cardiovascular workload, but not electrical conduction. It provides systolic and diastolic values, not heart rhythm or rate data. Electrical activity assessment requires tools like electrocardiograms, rendering this choice irrelevant for the described diagnostic purpose.

Choice C reason: An electrocardiogram (ECG) records the heart’s electrical activity, mapping conduction pathways to assess heart rate and rhythm. It detects arrhythmias, ischemia, or conduction delays by analyzing waveforms like P, QRS, and T, making it the precise tool for evaluating cardiac electrical function, as required by the question.

Choice D reason: Doppler ultrasound evaluates blood flow velocity, used in vascular or fetal assessments, but does not measure cardiac electrical conduction. It lacks the capability to assess heart rate or rhythm through electrical signals, unlike an electrocardiogram, making it an incorrect choice for this diagnostic purpose.

Choice A reason: Percussion involves tapping to assess underlying structures, commonly used for lung or abdominal assessments. In breast assessment, it is not relevant, as it cannot evaluate tissue density or detect masses. Breast examination relies on visual inspection and palpation to identify abnormalities like lumps or skin changes, making percussion inappropriate.

Choice B reason: Inspection is a critical technique in breast assessment, involving visual examination for asymmetry, skin changes, nipple discharge, or dimpling. It precedes palpation to identify visible abnormalities. This method is non-invasive and essential for detecting early signs of breast conditions, such as cancer, aligning with standard clinical protocols for thorough evaluation.

Choice C reason: Doppler ultrasound assesses blood flow, often used in vascular or fetal monitoring, but is not standard for breast assessment. Breast examination uses inspection and palpation, with imaging like mammography for deeper evaluation. Doppler’s role in breast care is limited to specialized diagnostics, not routine physical assessments, making it an incorrect choice.

Choice D reason: Sterile gloves are used for invasive procedures like wound care, not routine breast assessments, which require clean gloves for palpation. Inspection and palpation are primary techniques, and sterile conditions are unnecessary unless performing a biopsy. This choice does not align with standard breast examination practices.