A patient connected to a bedside monitor has an alarm showing a heart rate of 38 beats per minute. The patient is awake, speaking clearly and denies dizziness. What should the nurse do first?
Correct answer: B. Assess the patient and confirm the pulse manually
- A. Silence the alarm and document the displayed rate
- B. Assess the patient and confirm the pulse manually
- C. Give the prescribed emergency cardiac medication
- D. Call the family to remain with the patient
Explanation
The nurse first assesses the patient and verifies the monitor reading with a manual pulse because alarms may result from artefact or poor electrode contact. If true bradycardia is confirmed, the nurse then assesses symptoms and follows the prescribed escalation pathway.
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About Vital Signs and Monitoring
Vital signs include temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and pain assessment. Coverage includes correct measurement sites and techniques, normal adult ranges, factors that alter readings, trends in patient observations, and the difference between an abnormal finding that needs reassessment and one requiring immediate reporting.
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