The nurse is assessing heart rate for children on the pediatric ward. What is a normal finding based on developmental age?

A. A Jewish male. While certain genetic factors may predispose individuals to hypertension, ethnicity or religious affiliation alone is not a direct risk factor for hypertension. Screening for hypertension should be based on individual risk factors and not solely on ethnicity or religion.

B. A white male. While hypertension can affect individuals of any race or ethnicity, it is less prevalent among white populations compared to African-American populations. However, hypertension can still occur in white males, especially if they have other risk factors such as obesity, family history, or unhealthy lifestyle habits.

C. An African-American male. African-American individuals, particularly males, have a higher prevalence of hypertension compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Genetic predisposition, as well as socio-economic factors and healthcare disparities, contribute to this increased risk.

Therefore, it is important to screen African-American males for hypertension, starting from adolescence, to ensure early detection and management.

D. An Asian female. While hypertension can affect individuals of Asian descent, the prevalence is generally lower compared to other racial and ethnic groups such as African-Americans. However, certain subgroups within the Asian population, such as South Asians, may have higher rates of hypertension due to genetic and lifestyle factors. Screening for hypertension should be based on individual risk factors rather than broad racial or ethnic categories.

A. Pulse rate is increased.

While there may be variations in pulse rate due to factors such as activity level and emotional state, a significant increase in pulse rate would not be a typical finding during an annual check- up for an 8-year-old child.

B. Breathing is diaphragmatic.

As children grow older, their respiratory patterns mature, and they develop diaphragmatic breathing, which is deeper and more efficient than the shallow breathing observed in infants. This change would be expected as the child gets older.

C. Secondary sex characteristics are present.

The development of secondary sex characteristics typically occurs during puberty, which begins around the ages of 9 to 13 in girls and 10 to 14 in boys. At 8 years old, it would be unlikely for significant secondary sex characteristics to be present.

D. Blood pressure has reached adult level.

Blood pressure in children gradually increases with age, but it does not reach adult levels until adolescence. At 8 years old, the child's blood pressure would still be within the pediatric range and would not resemble adult levels.