What describes the heart rate in a case of sinus tachycardia?

In sinus tachycardia, the heart rate is characterized as rapid and steady. This means the heart beats faster than the normal range while maintaining a regular rhythm. Sinus tachycardia occurs due to increased automaticity of the sinoatrial node, resulting in an elevated heart rate typically over 100 beats per minute. The rhythm remains organized, which distinguishes it from conditions where the rhythm is irregular or chaotic.

In this context, the distinctions between sinus tachycardia and the other options are crucial. A normal and regulated heart rate would fall within the standard resting heart rate range, contrasting with the elevated rate seen in sinus tachycardia. Unsteady would imply an irregular rhythm, which does not apply here as the rhythm in sinus tachycardia remains consistent. Lastly, slow and irregular does not describe sinus tachycardia at all, as the condition features rapid heartbeats rather than a decrease in heart rate. Understanding these characteristics is essential in recognizing and diagnosing sinus tachycardia in pediatric patients.