When obtaining vital signs, a nursing assistive personnel is concerned

When obtaining vital signs, a nursing assistive personnel is concerned that the heart rate of 56 is too low for a 23-year-old client who has been training for a marathon. The nurse explains that:

1. A low heart rate is normal in well-conditioned athletes
2. The health care provider needs to be notified immediately
3. The heart rate needs to be rechecked before taking any action
4. The heart rate could be caused by hyperthyroidism

ANSWER

ANS: 1
A heart rate lower then 60 is a normal response to sleep or in a well-conditioned athlete; dimin-ished blood flow to SA node, vagal stimulation, hypothyroidism, increased intracranial pressure, or pharmacological agents (e.g., digoxin, propranolol, quinidine, procainamide) sometimes cause abnormal drops in rate. Any action that the nurse is considering taking should occur only after verifying an abnormal vital sign.