Pulse Examination Overview Flashcards
Pulse on the heaven level is also known as…
Superficial level
Pulse on the human level is also known as…
Middle level (normal pulse depth)
Pulse on the earth level is also known as…
Deep level
What is the ideal time to take a patient’s pulse?
When the patient and practitioner are both relaxed and calm. Morning is ideal if possible.
What is the correct posture of the patient during pulse-taking?
(body, arms, elevation, palms, etc)
(1) Sitting straight or lying on their back.
(2) Arms naturally extended at same elevation as the heart
(3) Wrist extended
(4) Palm facing upward
(5) Fingers slightly bent
(6) Soft cushion placed beneath the wrist
What is touching pressure?
Palpating with slight pressure. The finger lightly rests on the skin.
What is pressing pressure?
Palpating with heavy pressure. The finger presses down to the bones and tendons.
What is seeking pressure?
**Palpating with moderate pressure. **The finger presses into the muscle area, sometimes with light pressure and sometimes with heavier pressure, moving around and searching for the pulse.
Where is the Heart pulse located?
(right or left ; cun, guan, chi)
Left Side ; Cun
Where is the Spleen/Stomach pulse located?
(right or left ; cun, guan, chi)
Right Side ; Guan
Where is the Pericardium pulse located?
(right or left ; cun, guan, chi)
Left Side ; Cun
Where is the Kidney/UB pulse located?
(right or left ; cun, guan, chi)
Left Side ; Chi
Where is the Lung/Chest pulse located?
(right or left ; cun, guan, chi)
Right Side ; Cun
Where is the Ming Men + LI pulse located?
(right or left ; cun, guan, chi)
Right Side ; Chi
Where is the Small Intestine pulse located?
(right or left ; cun, guan, chi)
Left Side ; Chi
Where is the Liver pulse located?
(right or left ; cun, guan, chi)
Left Side ; Guan
Where is the Diaphragm pulse located?
(right or left ; cun, guan, chi)
Left Side; Guan
The features of the healthy pulse can be summarized with the following three aspects:
Full of Stomach Qi (Wei Qi), Full of Spirit (Shen), Rooted (Gen)
What is the meaning of rooted (gen)?
- The pulse can be felt at the deep level at all three positions (cun, guan and chi).
- The pulse can be felt at Chi position.
What does it mean when we say the pulse is full of stomach qi?
The pulse beats are calm, gentle and has a regular rhythm with moderate strength.
What does it mean when we say the pulse is full of spirit (shen)?
The pulse beats with a moderate strength and even/ unified rhythm in a soft vessel.
What is the related organ for the rooted (gen) aspects of the pulse?
The Kidney