Question

The nurse is working in an primary care clinic. Which assessment finding of a client's pulse would the nurse recognize as an unexpected finding?

1) Pulse rate of 72 in a 1-year-old client
2) Pulse rate of 88 in an 8-year-old client
3) Pulse rate of 55 in a 10-year-old client
4) d. Pulse rate of 53 in a 45-year-old client
5) Pulse rate of 110 in an 88-year-old client

Answer 1

A pulse rate of 55 beats per minute in a 10-year-old client is an unexpected finding, as it may suggest bradycardia, which is unusual for this age group with the normal range being 70 to 100 bpm.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse would recognize a pulse rate of 55 in a 10-year-old client as an unexpected finding. Typically, the normal resting heart rate for children aged 6 to 15 years old is between 70 to 100 beats per minute (bpm). The pulse rate of 55 bpm in a 10-year-old client may suggest bradycardia, which is a condition where the heart rate is slower than normal. While adults can have a lower resting heart rate, often seen in well-trained athletes, such low heart rates in children may require further evaluation for potential underlying conditions or issues.