NCLEX-PN

STEP 2: CALCULATE THE HEART RATE

There are 3 methods to use but in short what we really want to know is: Is the rhythm fast ( Tachycardia ), slow ( Bradycardia ), or normal. Method #1: 6 Second Method- Count the number of R waves on a 6 second strip and multiply by 10. Provides approximate heart rate. Fast and simple. Used for irregular and regular rhythms.

Method #2: The 300 Method- Count the number of large boxes between 2 successive R waves and divide by 300 to obtain heart rate. Only used for regular rhythms.

Method #3: 1500 Method- Most accurate method for regular rhythms. Count the number of small

squares between 2 consecutive R waves and divide into 1500. Only used for regular rhythms.

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