The nurse on a medical-surgical unit palpates a patient's carotid pulse for 30 seconds and obtains a rate of 80 beats/min.The nurse knows in obtaining a patient's carotid pulse she must be careful that her technique does not cause a/an:

A) Increase in heart rate
B) Decrease in heart rate
C) Increase in blood pressure
D) Irregular heart rhythm

Carotid Pulse

A palpable heartbeat felt at the carotid artery, indicating the heart's rhythm and strength of blood flow.

Heart Rate

The number of heartbeats per minute, an indicator of cardiovascular health and physical condition.

Blood Pressure

The pressure of circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, a vital sign indicating the health of the cardiovascular system.