Pulse Flashcards
What is the pulse?
wave created by 5 Tbs. of blood being pumped into the arteries with every heartbeat.
What are you measuring when you take pulse?
rate, rhythm, and amplitude
Which pulse is taken as a quick screen of heart function?
checking radial pulse for 30 seconds
How do you take a radial pulse?
1st 2 fingers compress radial artery against radius
What is the normal adult resting rate range?
60-90 bpm
What is the average adult resting rate?
72 bpm
What is bradycardia?
less than 60 bpm
What is tachycardia?
more than 100 bpm
What is physiologic tachycardia?
normal response to exertion, anxiety, or elevated temperature, exercise and excitement.
What is the rate for physiologic tachycardia?
10 bpm for every degree over 100
What is pathologic tachycardia?
response to an oxygen deficit
What examples can cause pathologic tachycardia?
anemia, hemorrhage, shock or congestive heart failure
What is the normal rhythm like for pulse?
REGULAR, steady, consistent
What are arrhythmias?
irregular heartbeats
What kind of arrhythmias are there?
regular and irregular
What are three common irregularities of pulse?
sinus arrhythmia
premature ventricular contraction (PVC)
atrial fibrillation
Which pulse irregularity is common in children?
sinus arrhythmia
What is sinus arrhythmia?
heart rate speeds up with each inspiration and slows again with expiration
What is premature ventricular contraction?
ventricular depolarization occurs earlier than expected resulting in occasional skipped beats
How can PVC show up?
a regular pattern of skips or
several sequential skips
What is atrial fibrillation?
disorganized electrical activity in the atria accompanied by a rapid, irregular ventricular response.
Atrial fibrillation is significant how?
usually accompanies pre-existing heart disease and necessitates emergency care
What is characterized by alternation of pulsation of small amplitude with pulsation of large amplitude while the rhythm is regular?
pulsus alternans (alternating pulse)
What is the best way to detect pulsus bisferiens?
palpation of the carotid artery
What are the two main peak called in pulsus bisferiens?
percussion wave and second, tidal wave
The first peak in pulsus bisferiens is believed to be what?
pulse pressure