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How to assess a pulseFrom Healthcare Science Technology by Kathryn A.
Booth
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A pulse is a wave of blood flow created by a contraction of the heart.
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A pulse can be palpated or auscaltated.
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Pulse sitesSites are usually
named according to the bones or other
structures near where they are
located.The most common
pulses assessed with vital signs are the radial, brachial,
and apical.
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Apical Pulse
The apical pulse is auscultated with a stethoscope placed on the chest wall. The apical pulse is found at the apex of the heart, which is located to the left side of the sternum and under the fifth to sixth intercostal space. In infants and young children, it is found closer to the midline of the left chest.
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Medical termsTachycardia- a pulse
rate faster than normal.
Causes: Physical or mental
stress Pain Exercise Infection fever
Bradycardia- a pulse rate slower than normal.
Causes: Physically fit
athletes Medication that
slows the heart rate Lack of O2 or
decreased blood pressure
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It’s not just beats per minute!
Characteristics of the pulse:
1. Rate2. Rhythm3. Volume4. Bilateral presence
Age Range
Newborn 120-160
1 month -1 year
80-140
1-6 years 80-120
6 years to puberty
75-110
Adulthood 72-80 (60-100)
Late adulthood 60-80
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Pulse quality Rhythm- is it
regular with evenly paced beats or irregular? A person with irregular pulse rate is said to have an arrhythmia or dysrhythmia.
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Pulse qualityVolume- the strength
of the pulse. The volume can be described with this scale:
0-absent 1-thready or weak 2-strong or normal 3-bounding or full,
difficult to obliterate with fingertips
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Pulse quality Bilateral presence-
means pulses are found within the same areas on both sides of the body and have the same rate, rhythm, and volume.
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When you assess vital signs perform the least invasive first.
Use this order if possible:
1. Pulse2. Respiration3. Temperatur
e 4. Blood
pressure
Record in this order:
T-P-R-BP
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Differences in pulse and respiratory rates
Normal rates will differ with age. Use this website to complete the
chart on your study guide