The differential between a client's apical and radial pulse rates is known as?

The differential between a client's apical and radial pulse rates is referred to as a pulse deficit. This term is used to describe a situation where there is a discrepancy between the heart's audible beat, measured at the apical site (the chest), and the pulse felt at the radial site (the wrist). A pulse deficit indicates that not all heartbeats are producing a palpable pulse at the periphery, which can be an important clinical finding. It often suggests a condition such as atrial fibrillation or other cardiac dysrhythmias, where the heart's efficiency in pumping blood may be compromised.

Understanding the significance of a pulse deficit is crucial in assessing a patient's cardiovascular health. When evaluating a patient, if the apical pulse is faster than the radial pulse, it may alert the clinician to further investigate the underlying causes. This deficit is not related to pulse pressure, which measures the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressures, nor is it indicative of the rhythm or regularity of pulses in a general sense.