If a client shows signs of atrial flutter, which heart rate is expected?

In the case of atrial flutter, it is characterized by a rapid and regular atrial contraction, typically resulting in a heart rate that is often around 240 to 300 beats per minute for the atrial activity. While the ventricular rate can vary based on the conduction through the AV node, the hallmark of atrial flutter is this high atrial rate.

The expected rate of about 300 bpm arises from the rapid "sawtooth" pattern of the atria, known as "F-waves," seen particularly in atrial flutter types such as type I (typical atrial flutter). This phenomenon is fundamentally different from bradycardia scenarios or rates lower than 100 bpm, which would not align with the typical presentation of atrial flutter. Therefore, identifying a heart rate that reflects approximately 300 bpm aligns with the nature of atrial flutter, making it the appropriate answer to this question.