Question

A client has a consistently regular heart rate of 128 beats/min. Which related physiologic alterations does the nurse assess for? (Select all that apply.)

a. Decrease in cardiac output
b. Increase in cardiac output
c. Increase in blood pressure
d. Decrease in blood pressure
e. Increase in urine output

Answer 1

A consistently high heart rate can lead to a decrease in cardiac output and blood pressure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should assess for the following related physiologic alterations in a client with a consistently regular heart rate of 128 beats/min:

• Decrease in cardiac output: A consistently high heart rate can lead to a decrease in cardiac output, which is the amount of blood pumped by the heart in one minute. This is because with a high heart rate, there may not be enough time for the ventricles to fill completely, reducing the amount of blood pumped with each contraction.
• Decrease in blood pressure: A decrease in cardiac output can result in a decrease in blood pressure. When the heart pumps less blood, there is less force exerted on the walls of the blood vessels, leading to a drop in blood pressure.