Which finding would indicate tachycardia during a pulmonary examination?

Tachycardia is defined as an abnormally fast heart rate, typically considered to be greater than 100 beats per minute in adults. During a pulmonary examination, heart rate is an important parameter to assess the overall cardiovascular status of the patient, as it can provide clues regarding the body's response to stress, illness, or other underlying health issues.

An increased heart rate is indicative of the body's effort to maintain adequate blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues in response to various factors such as exertion, fever, anxiety, or pathology affecting the heart or lungs. Therefore, recognizing an increased heart rate during a pulmonary examination signifies potential tachycardia and may warrant further investigation or intervention.

Other choices reflect different heart conditions: a slow heart rate would suggest bradycardia, a normal heart rate does not indicate tachycardia, and a regular rhythm pertains to the nature of the heartbeat but does not provide information on the rate itself. Thus, identifying an increased heart rate is crucial in determining the presence of tachycardia in a patient.