The nurse is assessing peripheral pulses on a client with suspected pe

The nurse is assessing peripheral pulses on a client with suspected peripheral vascular disease. Which finding should the nurse report to the physician immediately?

1. Pulses equal bilaterally
2. Full pulsations
3. Thready pulses
4. Pulses present bilaterally

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Bilateral equal pulses is a normal assessment finding.
Rationale 2: Full pulsations is a normal assessment finding.
Rationale 3: Thready, weak, or decreased pulses are abnormal and should be reported to the physician.
Rationale 4: Bilaterally present pulses is a normal assessment finding.