and assessing a pt with CHF, renal failure, and a pace maker. I figured there would be an interesting history, so I decided to sit and talk and let the vitals machine do its thing. Then I notice a heart rate of 270, then 140. I figure I'll bite, so I get a radial pulse of 58. Being the curious person that I am, I figure cool, I might have some sort of pulse deficit here, of course I don't think it is a pulse deficit of such a massive proportions, and the pt is sitting there relaxed. So I figure an apical pulse is in order, a rock steady 61.
All of the sudden the squirrel wheel in the attic starts spinning, ok, pacemaker + electrical sensing device = your better off doing the old fashioned way.
Well, after all that I figured that I would trust my senses and chart 61. So I figured I would check the previous HR's, wow most of 'em are up round 120-140.
Now I know I am nothing special, and don't claim to be. So, am I missing something here?