Question

What is the nurse's priority action if a patient's radial pulse has an irregular rhythm?

A. Reassess the pulse for 1 full minute.
B. Assess the patient for a pulse deficit.
C. Wait 5 minutes, and then reassess the pulse.
D. Review documentation regarding an irregular rhythm.

Answer 1

The nurse should reassess the pulse for 1 full minute upon detecting an irregular radial pulse to confirm the irregularity and observe any patterns.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient's radial pulse has an irregular rhythm, the nurse's priority action would be to reassess the pulse for 1 full minute. This allows the nurse to confirm the irregularity and note any pattern to the irregularity, which may provide important diagnostic information. Assessing for a pulse deficit or reviewing documentation might follow based on the findings from the reassessment. Waiting without immediate reassessment is generally not advised, as timely evaluation is critical to determining the cause of the irregular rhythm and responding appropriately.