Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

What is the typical resting heart rate for adults within the normal sinus rhythm?

1. 40 to 60 beats per minute

2. 60 to 100 beats per minute

3. 100 to 120 beats per minute

4. 120 to 140 beats per minute

The correct answer is: 60 to 100 beats per minute

The typical resting heart rate for adults in normal sinus rhythm ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. This range is considered standard for healthy adults at rest, as it reflects the heart's ability to pump blood efficiently while adjusting to the body's needs during different activities. Heart rates below this range, such as 40 to 60 beats per minute, may indicate bradycardia, which can be benign in well-trained athletes but can also suggest underlying health issues in non-athletes. On the other hand, heart rates exceeding 100 beats per minute, such as those in the options of 100 to 120 or 120 to 140 beats per minute, are categorized as tachycardia and can signal stress, anxiety, or other cardiac conditions. Thus, recognizing the normal range of 60 to 100 beats per minute is crucial for patient care technicians and is an important aspect of monitoring cardiovascular health.