ARRT Patient Care Practice Exam

The condition of slow heart rate, below 60 bpm is termed:

1. hyperthermia

2. hypotension

3. hypoxia

4. bradycardia

The correct answer is: bradycardia

Bradycardia is the medical term used to describe a slow heart rate, specifically one that falls below 60 beats per minute (bpm). This condition can occur in various situations, including during sleep, in athletes due to their trained cardiovascular systems, or as a response to certain medications or medical conditions. Understanding why bradycardia is defined this way is key for students entering the healthcare field, as recognizing abnormal heart rates is crucial for patient assessment and emergency response. Monitoring heart rate is an essential skill; a heart rate below the normal range can indicate problems with cardiac function or may signify other underlying health issues that require attention. In contrast, hyperthermia refers to an abnormally high body temperature, hypotension relates to low blood pressure, and hypoxia involves a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues. While these conditions can also have serious implications for patient health, they do not pertain to heart rate, making bradycardia the correct choice for this question.