MEDizzy - A registered nurse (RN), with the assistance of a student

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Comprehensive Nursing Exam

A registered nurse (RN), with the assistance of a student nurse, is caring for a 24-hour-old infant. The student reports that the newborn’s apical pulse is 136 beats per minute. In response to this information, the RN should instruct the student to:

ExplanationThe expected range for the newborn’s apical pulse is 100 to 160 beats per minute (bpm). While crying, the newborn’s heart rate may in- crease up to 180 bpm and drop as low as 90 bpm when the infant is sleeping. Because this assessment finding is within the normal range, the student should document the findings without further action. There is no need to recheck the pulse in 1 hour, to apply an oximeter, or to notify the health-care provider.