Prophecy Medical Surgical Telemetry Practice Test

When a telemetry alarm sounds for a high heart rate, the nurse's priority is to assess the patient for signs of distress or changes in condition. This assessment is crucial because it allows the nurse to determine whether the high heart rate is an isolated incident or indicative of a more serious underlying issue. The nurse needs to check the patient's vital signs, evaluate their level of consciousness, and look for symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or changes in skin color that might indicate cardiac problems or other significant health concerns.

Immediate assessment is vital in guiding further interventions. Depending on the findings, the nurse may need to notify a physician, administer medications, or implement other interventions to stabilize the patient's condition. Following this, documentation of the alarm and the assessment should occur, ensuring accurate records of the patient's status and responses to the situation.

In contrast, other options like documenting the alarm without assessing the patient would delay necessary care. Speeding up telemetry monitoring is not a standard intervention that would address the patient's immediate needs and ignoring the alarm could put the patient at significant risk if the arrhythmia or elevated heart rate is a sign of a more serious condition. Therefore, assessment is essential in managing patient safety in response to telemetry alarms.