Final answer:
The correct action when observing a significant change in a patient's normal pulse rate to 98 bpm is to report it to the charge nurse for further assessment.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you are measuring Mrs. Clark's pulse and it is 98 beats per minute, which is significantly different than her normal pulse, the appropriate action would be b. report this to the charge nurse. The reason for this is that abnormal heart rates may indicate a problem if they are far from a patient's usual rate. For an adult, a normal resting heart rate (HR) will be in the range of 60-100 bpm. When a patient has a resting HR that is higher than their normal, it could be a sign of tachycardia, which can be caused by conditions such as stress, fever, or cardiovascular issues. Tachycardia in a resting patient is not considered normal unless due to specific circumstances like pregnancy or high-stress situations.
A dramatic change in the heart rate should always be reported to medical staff as there may be a need for further assessment or intervention. It would be unwise to ignore such a finding or encourage physical activity without understanding the underlying cause of the change in heart rate.