Which of the following formulas should a medical assistant use to determine a patient's pulse rate?
Take the patient's pulse for 5 seconds and multiply by 10.
Take the patient's pulse for 15 seconds and multiply by 2.
Take the patient's pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by 4.
Take the patient's pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by 2.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Take the patient's pulse for 5 seconds and multiply by 10: Measuring for 5 seconds and multiplying by 10 is less accurate due to the short measurement time.
B. Take the patient's pulse for 15 seconds and multiply by 2: While this method is more accurate than taking it for 5 seconds, the recommended practice is to measure for 30 seconds for better accuracy.
C. Take the patient's pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by 4: This would be used to determine a pulse rate per minute from a 15-second measurement, not 30 seconds.
D. Take the patient's pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by 2: This method provides a precise measurement of the pulse rate, as taking the pulse for 30 seconds and then multiplying by 2 gives the number of beats per minute.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Have the patient sit upright: The patient should be kept in a position that promotes blood flow to vital organs; sitting upright may exacerbate shock.
B. Keep the patient cool: The patient should be kept warm to help maintain body temperature and prevent further complications.
C. Give fluids to the patient orally: In cases of shock, fluids should be administered intravenously by medical professionals to ensure proper management.
D. Elevate the patient's feet 8 to 12 inches: Elevating the patient's feet helps to increase blood flow to the vital organs by promoting venous return to the heart.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Place a pulse oximeter on the patient's earlobe: A pulse oximeter measures oxygen saturation and pulse but is not used for manually palpating the pulse.
B. Palpate the patient's radial artery: The radial artery, located at the wrist, is commonly palpated to manually obtain the pulse.
C. Place a pulse oximeter on the patient's finger: A pulse oximeter measures pulse rate and oxygen saturation but does not involve manual palpation.
D. Palpate the patient's popliteal artery: The popliteal artery is located behind the knee and is less commonly used for routine pulse measurement compared to the radial artery.