Heart Rate Measurement

Question 1

What are you measuring and why?

Answer 1

the number of times your heart completes a full cycle and pumps blood around the body in a minute.

indicates general fitness and wellbeing, and whether there is an illness or pathology.

used to see is patient has tachycardia (caused by exercise, anxiety, infection, anaemia or hyperthyroidism) or brachycardia (caused by hypothyroidism and beta blockers).

Question 2

Precautions and contraindications?

Answer 2

no contraindications but precautions include:
vomiting, nausea, vertigo, avoid open wounds and area.

Then when measuring carotid pulse, you shouldn’t palpate longer than necessary as it could stimulate vagus nerve and cause fainting.

Question 3

What should be completed prior to the test?

Answer 3

get gender and their age
pt top is on, loose fitting clothes
rest for 10 minutes before hand
no talking or movement during procedure

Question 4

What should be avoided before testing?

Answer 4

no exercise, smoking or caffeine - so ask for this instead of contraindications.

Question 5

What should you do after the test?

Answer 5

assess pt. and check for any adverse effects

Question 6

What can cause HR to vary?

Answer 6

age, stress levels, fitness and medication

Question 7

How should HR be recorded?

Answer 7

in BPM.

can also note irregularities in strength and rhythm.

normal resting HR for adult is 60-100bpm.

Question 8

How to measure radial pulse?

Answer 8

arm straight, palm up.

index and middle finger placed lateral to the flexor tendons.

count how many beats in 30 secs x2.

if you notice change in strength and rhythm measure for 1 full min.

Question 9

How to measure carotid artery?

Answer 9

place index and middle finger just beside trachea, then measure for 30 secs x2.

Question 10

How to measure dorsalis pedis?

Answer 10

Place index and middle fingers on dorsum, lateral to extensor hallucis longus, just distal to navicular, then 30 sec x2