The nurse is taking a radial pulse and assessing the pulse amplitude for a patient. Documentation by the nurse states. “Pulses are +3 in the upper extremities.” What amplitude is the nurse assessing?
Increased, strong
Diminished, weaker than expected
Absent, unable to palpate
Bounding
The Correct Answer is A
A. Increased, strong:
A pulse amplitude of +3 indicates an increased or strong pulse. This suggests a forceful and palpable pulse, potentially associated with conditions like fever, anemia, or increased cardiac output.
B. Diminished, weaker than expected:
This would typically be associated with a lower than normal pulse amplitude. It might suggest poor peripheral perfusion or decreased cardiac output.
C. Absent, unable to palpate:
If the pulse is absent or unable to be palpated, it could indicate severe conditions such as vascular occlusion or cardiac arrest.
D. Bounding:
A bounding pulse is one with a forceful and strong amplitude. It suggests a powerful expansion of the arterial wall, and it can be associated with conditions like fever, anemia, or increased cardiac output.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. 74-year-old female with malnutrition and a foley catheter in place:
Malnutrition can weaken the immune system, making the individual more susceptible to infections. Additionally, the presence of a foley catheter increases the risk of urinary tract infections.
B. 54-year-old female admitted for chest pain observation:
Chest pain observation does not inherently increase the risk of infection.
C. 34-year-old male admitted for seizure observation:
Seizure observation does not inherently increase the risk of infection.
D. 78-year-old male with right-sided hemiplegia following a stroke:
While the hemiplegia following a stroke may pose mobility challenges, the presence of malnutrition and a foley catheter in option A puts the patient at a higher risk for infection.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. 20 bpm: This is twice the calculated rate, so it's significantly higher than observed.
B. 10 bpm: This matches closely with the calculated rate of approximately 10.23 breaths per minute.
The scenario describes the nurse counting the client's breaths starting from when the second hand of the clock was at 12 and ending just past 5, and the client completed 9 breaths during this time frame.
Counting Period:
From just past 12 to just past 5 on the clock, the time span is approximately 53 seconds.
Number of Breaths:
The client completed 9 breaths within this time frame.
Now, to calculate the respiratory rate:
Respiratory rate = (Number of breaths / Time in minutes)
Respiratory rate = (9 breaths / 0.88 minutes) (53 seconds converted to minutes)
After calculation, the respiratory rate is approximately 10.23 breaths per minute.
C. 09 bpm: This is a lower value than observed and doesn't align with the counted breaths.
D. 18 bpm: This is close to double the observed rate, which doesn't match with the counted breaths within the time frame.
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