mialander

Yes, my instructor listed with her stethoscope at the same time. Afterward, she just looked at me blankly like I was mentally challenged and did not discuss it further for the rest of the day. Two of my fellow students also listened to the same patient and got around the same apical pulse # as me, so their count was also off by 20 bpm. It was important because the pt was getting digoxin. I understand it's something I should be able to do but having never heard that kind of heart beat before, I haven't really been able to practice.

In my 2nd year of clinicals & I have not come across any patients with irregular heart beats until today. My patient had atrial fibrillation and it was difficult for me to count the apical correctly. The beats were so irregular and fast. I got it wrong - twice. 1. how do you count an apical in this situation? 2. am I an idiot and should I give up nursing?