A pulse rate of 104 beats per minute indicates:

• A. Bradycardia
• B. Normal
• C. Arrhythmia
• D. Tachycardia

Answer: (D)

A resting pulse of 104 beats per minute is tachycardia—that means the heart is beating faster than normal at rest. For most adults, a normal resting heart rate is about 60 to 100 bpm. Bradycardia would be a rate below 60, and normal is within that 60–100 range. Arrhythmia refers to an irregular heartbeat rhythm, not specifically a high rate, so while tachycardia can accompany an irregular rhythm, the number 104 directly indicates a fast rate. So the rate being above 100 bpm makes tachycardia the correct classification.