How many times does the heart of a young man beat in a minute?

Appeared in: MNS 2015

Explanation

The normal resting heart rate for a healthy adult is a range, typically between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm).
Within this range, 72 bpm is the conventionally accepted and most frequently cited average resting heart rate for adults in physiology and medical textbooks.
While other options like 70 or 75 are also within the normal range and close to the average, 72 is the classic 'textbook' answer for this type of factual recall question.

Option A: A heart rate of 65 bpm is within the normal resting range for an adult (60-100 bpm). However, it is on the lower end of the average and not the specific standard value typically cited.
Option B: A heart rate of 70 bpm is very close to the average and is considered normal. For an 18-year-old male, some data suggests an average of 70 bpm. However, 72 bpm is the more traditional and widely recognized standard average for adults in general.
Option D: A heart rate of 75 bpm is well within the normal resting range for an adult (60-100 bpm). However, it is slightly higher than the standard accepted average of 72 bpm.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Normal resting heart rate in a young adult as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Assessing the pulse is a fundamental nursing skill used to evaluate a patient's cardiovascular status. The rate, rhythm, and strength provide critical information.
A resting heart rate consistently above 100 bpm (tachycardia) or below 60 bpm (bradycardia) (unless the patient is an athlete) should be reported to the healthcare provider as it may indicate an underlying problem.
What if? If a patient on a beta-blocker medication has a heart rate of 55 bpm and reports feeling dizzy, the nurse's priority is to hold the medication and notify the physician. The drug is likely causing symptomatic bradycardia.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core question: it's asking for the normal heart rate of a young man.
Recognize this as a factual recall question. You need to remember the standard physiological values taught in nursing.
Recall that the normal resting heart rate for an adult is a range (60-100 bpm).
Notice that all the options (65, 70, 72, 75) fall within this normal range.
When multiple options are technically correct within a range, the question is likely asking for the specific, most commonly accepted average value.
Select 72 bpm, as this is the classic textbook average for an adult's resting heart rate.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QYSRj0Ix33yGNoJJgJm4gb

E6 Nursing Vital Signs p. 79-81

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 p. 531-533

Practise the full MNS 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.