Unit 11: Pulse Rate

Question 1

Pulse Rate: What is a pulse rate?

Answer 1

Measurement of heart rate, ie: the number of times the heart beats a minute

Question 2

Pulse Rate: What is palpation?

Answer 2

Us the index and middle finger to press against an artery where it lies close to the skin.

Question 3

Pulse Locations: Carotid

Answer 3

Either side of the trachea

Question 4

Pulse Locations: Brachial

Answer 4

Inside of the upper arm, near the elbow

Question 5

Pulse Locations: Apical

Answer 5

Left of intercostal space, left of the sternum. (Use stethoscope, primarily used on infants)

Question 6

Pulse Locations: Radial

Answer 6

Lateral side of the wrist (outside)

Question 7

Pulse location: Femoral

Answer 7

upper groin, either side

Question 8

Pulse Locations: Popliteral

Answer 8

Behind the knee

Question 9

Pulse Locations: Ulnar

Answer 9

Medial Side of the wrist (inside)

Question 10

Pulse Locations: Dorsalis Pedis

Answer 10

Top of the foot, superior to the big toe

Question 11

Pulse Locations: Posterior Tibalis

Answer 11

Medial side of the ankle

Question 12

Pulse Check: Adult

Answer 12

Primarily use the carotid and radial as to compare central and peripheral pulse

Question 13

Pulse Check: Child/Infant

Answer 13

Brachial Pulse point

Question 14

Pulse Rate: Normal Adult

Answer 14

60-100

Question 15

Pulse rate: Normal Child

Answer 15

80-150

Question 16

Pulse Rate: Normal Infant

Answer 16

120-150

Question 17

Pulse Rate: Bradycardia

Answer 17

Slow pulse <60/m

Question 18

Pulse Rate: Tachycardia

Answer 18

Fast pulse >100/m

Question 19

Pulse Rate: Slow & Fast symptoms

Answer 19

decreased consciousness level, chest pain, respiratory distress, low blood pressure, shock

Question 20

Pulse Check: what is rhythm?

Answer 20

is the heart beating regularly or irregularly? medications, stress caffeine, etc can cause irregular breathing

Question 21

Pulse Check: What is quality?

Answer 21

Character of the pulse. Is it strong? Weak? Bounding (unusually strong)? threading (weak and rapid)?

Question 22

Recording Pulse: What do you make note of?

Answer 22

Time on the 24hr clock
Pulse rate, Rhythm and Quality
Differences in rate between pulse locations (may indicate a bleed)

Question 23

Pulse Check: How do you get a pulse rate?

Answer 23

Count the number of beats you feel in 15 seconds, multiple it by 4.
If the pulse is weak or irregular, count for 30 seconds and multiple by 2.