A patient whose heart rate is 52 beats per minute reports feeling dizzy and light-headed.What is the nurse's best first action?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A slow heart rate (less than 50 beats per minute)results in a decrease in cardiac output,blood pressure,and perfusion to a patient's vital organs.This leads to symptoms such as dizziness,light-headedness,syncope,and decreased peripheral pulses.While the nurse will want to notify the prescriber,the patient's blood pressure should be checked first.

A Patient Whose Heart Rate Is 52 Beats Per Minute