The nurse is assessing a client who has just arrived in the emergency department and notes a pulse deficit. Which of the following actions should the nurse anticipate for the client?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pulse deficit is a difference between simultaneously obtained apical and radial pulses and indicates that there may be a cardiac dysrhythmia that would be detected with ECG monitoring. Frequent BP monitoring, cardiac catheterization, and echocardiograms are used for diagnosis of other cardiovascular disorders but would not be as helpful in determining the immediate reason for the pulse deficit.

The Nurse Is Assessing a Client Who Has Just Arrived