What is it called when the pulse rate is less than 60 per minute?

Appeared in: MP CHO -2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

Bradycardia is the medical term for a heart rate that is slower than the normal range.
For adults, a resting heart rate below 60 beats per minute (bpm) is defined as bradycardia.
The normal resting heart rate for a healthy adult ranges from 60 to 100 bpm.

Option B: Tachycardia refers to a fast heart rate, specifically a rate greater than 100 beats per minute in an adult.
Option C: Bradypnea refers to the respiratory rate, not the pulse rate. It signifies an abnormally slow breathing rate, typically less than 12 breaths per minute in an adult.
Option D: Tachypnea also refers to the respiratory rate, not the pulse rate. It signifies an abnormally fast breathing rate, typically greater than 20 breaths per minute in an adult.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Terminology for abnormal heart and respiratory rates as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Accurate assessment and documentation of vital signs are fundamental nursing skills. Recognizing terms like bradycardia is crucial for identifying potential health issues, such as heart problems or adverse medication effects (e.g., from beta-blockers).
Symptomatic bradycardia (e.g., with dizziness, confusion, or fainting) is a clinical concern that requires prompt reporting to the healthcare provider and may necessitate interventions like medication adjustment or further cardiac evaluation.
What if? If the patient was a well-conditioned athlete, a resting heart rate of 55 bpm could be a normal and healthy finding due to a more efficient heart muscle, and would not necessarily be a cause for alarm unless accompanied by symptoms.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key information in the question: 'pulse rate' and 'less than 60 per minute'. This tells you the question is about a slow heart rate.
Next, analyze the prefixes in the options. 'Brady-' means slow, and 'Tachy-' means fast.
Then, analyze the suffixes. '-cardia' refers to the heart (pulse), and '-pnea' refers to breathing (respiration).
Combine the parts: 'Bradycardia' means slow heart rate. 'Tachycardia' means fast heart rate. 'Bradypnea' means slow breathing. 'Tachypnea' means fast breathing.
Finally, match the correct term, 'Bradycardia', to the condition described in the question (a pulse rate less than 60).

Concept Tested & Keywords

QC90_ZbwFhEpZeoPwhKyqU

E6 Nursing Vital Signs p. 79-81

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor pp. 123-125, 126-128

Practise the full MP CHO -2019 (Shift-2)

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