The nurse is caring for a patient who has a pulse rate of 48. His blood pressure is within normal limits. Which finding will help the nurse determine the cause of the patient's low heart rate?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: A pulse of 48 (bradycardia) with normal BP suggests a cause like medications. Calcium channel blockers or digitalis slow heart rate, a common side effect. Fever increases pulse. Hemorrhage lowers BP, not seen here. COPD doesn't typically cause bradycardia. Choice D is correct, per pharmacology and nursing assessment principles.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The rectal route is the most accurate for core body temperature, reflecting blood perfusing the hypothalamus, the body's thermoregulatory center. Oral is convenient but affected by intake or breathing, reducing precision. Axillary is non-invasive but underestimates core temperature by about 1°F due to external influences. Temporal is quick yet less accurate than rectal, as it measures surface arterial flow, not deep core temp. Choice D is correct, per the explanation and nursing standards (e.g., Potter & Perry), as rectal readings closely align with internal physiology, making it the gold standard for critical assessments despite its invasiveness.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.