Hi Everyone....just another student from the class he is in, and on the other side of the page on this question. Finding an irregular pulse in a trauma pt. would then give me more reason to include the cardiac monitor in my assessment. This pt. is a load and go, because of altered LOC, and I would include the monitor once I was in the unit and on the way. An irregular pulse may be normal for this pt. with his given history, but I would like to gather all the information I can, including a strip. Finding the irregular pulse on your primary assessment IS a reason to include the monitor sooner than later.
Any other views on this?
Tj
