The nurse is assessing the apical pulse of a 3-month-old infant and finds that the heart rate is 135 beats per minute. How should the nurse interpret this finding?

A) Normal for this age
B) Lower than expected
C) Higher than expected, probably as a result of crying
D) Higher than expected, reflecting persistent tachycardia

Apical Pulse

The heartbeat as heard with a stethoscope placed on the chest directly over the apex of the heart, used for accurate measurement of heart rate.

Tachycardia

A condition in which the heart beats faster than normal while at rest, typically defined as having a heart rate of over 100 beats per minute.

Beats Per Minute

A measure of heart rate, indicating the number of heartbeats within one minute.