Hesi Cat
Hesi Cat ( 79 Questions)
The practical nurse (PN) palpates a client's radial pulse and notes that the pulse disappears when light pressure is applied. How should the PN document this finding?
A thready pulse is one that is weak and can be easily obliterated by light pressure.
A missing pulse is one that cannot be felt at all.
"Pulse skips beats" is a different phenomenon and not an accurate description of the pulse disappearing with light pressure. It is irregular and may indicate a cardiac arrhythmia.
Documenting "light pressure applied to pulse" does not convey the specific finding that the pulse disappears with pressure, which is more clinically relevant. It is not a finding, but a method of assessing the pulse.
Choice A: A thready pulse is one that is weak and can be easily obliterated by light pressure.
Choice B: A missing pulse is one that cannot be felt at all.
Choice C: "Pulse skips beats" is a different phenomenon and not an accurate description of the pulse disappearing with light pressure. It is irregular and may indicate a cardiac arrhythmia.
Choice D: Documenting "light pressure applied to pulse" does not convey the specific finding that the pulse disappears with pressure, which is more clinically relevant. It is not a finding, but a method of assessing the pulse.