What is the normal pulse rate range for an infant?

• A. 60-100
• B. 100-140
• C. 140-160
• D. 80-120

Answer: (B)

Infants have faster heart rates because their bodies have high metabolic needs and smaller cardiovascular reserves. A typical resting pulse for an infant is about 100 to 160 beats per minute. The range 100-140 is the best choice because it sits in the common, comfortable portion of that spectrum and avoids the extremes. Rates below 100 bpm in an infant can indicate bradycardia, while rates around 140-160 bpm can be normal only in very specific circumstances (like fever or distress) and are often treated as upper-normal or tachycardic in many exam contexts. The other options either fall too low, miss the usual upper values, or both, making them less representative of a normal infant pulse in a standard assessment. When measuring, count the apical pulse for a full minute to get an accurate rate.