Final answer:
Pulse deficit is the difference between the apical and peripheral pulse rates, indicating the heart's efficiency in perfusion. The proper action is to report any increase in pulse deficit to a healthcare provider.
Step-by-step explanation:
A pulse deficit refers to the difference between the apical and peripheral pulse rates. When measuring the apical pulse, a healthcare provider listens at the chest wall directly over the heart with a stethoscope to determine the number of heartbeats at the source. The peripheral pulse, like the radial pulse at the wrist, may be measured by palpation to assess the rate at which blood is being delivered to the rest of the body. A pulse deficit occurs when there is a discrepancy between these two measurements, indicating that not all heartbeats are resulting in effective perfusion or are too weak to be palpated at a distance from the heart.
Regarding the statements provided:
- The total volume of blood during ventricular contraction and the pulse pressure created when there is friction between the blood and the vessel walls are not descriptions of pulse deficit; these refer to stroke volume and pulse pressure, respectively.
- Report to the health care provider any increase in pulse deficit is a correct action, as an increasing pulse deficit can indicate a worsening of cardiac efficiency.
- The difference between apical and peripheral pulse rate is a definition of pulse deficit.
- The apical pulse is higher than the radial pulse is often true when there is a pulse deficit, as not all heartbeats result in a palpable peripheral pulse.