200k views
0 votes
When an EKG technician is obtaining a pulse from a patient, which of the following terms should the technician use to document the rhythm of the pulse?

a) Regular
b) Tachycardia
c) Bradycardia
d) Arrhythmia

1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

An EKG technician should use the term 'regular' to document the rhythm of a pulse when the heartbeat occurs at consistent intervals. 'Arrhythmia' is used for irregular heartbeats, while 'tachycardia' and 'bradycardia' refer to fast and slow heart rates, respectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

Documenting Heart Rhythm:

When an EKG technician is obtaining a pulse from a patient, the appropriate term to document the rhythm of the pulse could be 'regular' if the heartbeat occurs at consistent intervals. If the rhythm is not consistent, the term 'arrhythmia' could be used. However, the terms 'tachycardia' and 'bradycardia' specifically refer to the rate of the pulse, with 'tachycardia' indicating a heart rate above 100 beats per minute and 'bradycardia' indicating a heart rate below 60 beats per minute in adults.

The normal, rhythmical beating of the heart is known as sinus rhythm, which indicates that the heart's electrical activity is functioning as expected. Hence, if the EKG technician finds the heart's rhythm to be normal, it should be documented as 'regular.' If the heart rhythm is irregular, specifying the type of irregularity (for instance, arrhythmia, tachycardia, or bradycardia) is crucial for accurate medical assessment and treatment.

User Antex
by
8.6k points