The nurse is assessing the heart rate of a child with a congenital heart defect. What should the nurse document when a pulse of one strong beat and one weak beat is assessed?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pulsus alternans is a pulse of one strong beat and one weak beat. Dicrotic pulse is a double radial pulse for every apical beat. Thready pulse is weak and usually rapid. Water hammer pulse is very forceful and bounding with capillary pulsations apparent even in the fingernails.

The Nurse Is Assessing the Heart Rate of a Child