Lab #11: ECG and Pulse Waves

Question 1

What is felt when pulse is taken?

Answer 1

pulse wave

Question 2

Define pulse wave

Answer 2

series of bumps along artery that indicate blood flow

Question 3

Define pulse pressure

Answer 3

extent of arterial wall bulging that can change due to changes in CO or changes in BF to certain body region

Question 4

How does pulse pressure in the fingertips change when exposed to a cold environment?

Answer 4

Pulse pressure decreased when exposed to cold environment because the body will try to keep blood from flowing too close to the surface of the skin and will vasoconstriction in an effort to prevent heat loss

Question 5

What part of the heart initially starts the pulse wave?

Answer 5

left ventricle

Question 6

TRUE or FALSE: There will be a delay between the time of ventricular contraction and pulse pressure in your fingertip.

Answer 6

True, the pulse wave needs to travel from the left ventricle to your fingertip, so there will be a short time delay

Question 7

What did the electrodes measure?

Answer 7

depolarization and repolarization of the heart

Question 8

To measure the subjects pulse rate and pulse pressure, we used a ______________

Answer 8

plethysmography

Question 9

A plethysmograph shines a beam of light through the finger’s skin and then measures the amount of light reflected back. If less light is reflected back, what does that tell you about blood volume (blood being forced into the vessels)?

Answer 9

less light = greater blood volume