Vital Signs Pulse.

Question 1

What is a pulse?

Answer 1

A pressure waste of blood caused by the alternating expansion and recoil of arteries during each cardia cycle.

Question 2

What does taking the pulse indicate?

Answer 2

Indicates the action of the heart.
Blood pushed from the heart through the arteries causing the wall to expand.
This s then followed by the recoil of the walls when the ventricles are at rest between beats.

Question 3

What is the normal heart rate of an adult?

Answer 3

Between 60-80 Beats Per Min (BPM)

Question 4

What is the normal heat rate of a neonate?

Answer 4

Between 110-160 beats per min (BPM)

Question 5

What factors can cause the heart rate and pulse to increase?

Answer 5

• Emotional state (stress)
• Reduction in blood volume (haemorrhage)
• Reduction in oxygenation (anemia)
• Increase in metabolism (exercise)
• Heath (e.g raised them can cause this to rise)

Question 6

What controls the pulse?

Answer 6

• Sympathetic nervous system (SNS)
• Parasympathetic nervous system (PNS)
• Baroreceptors (pressure receptors)

Question 7

How does the Sympathetic and the Parasympathetic nervous system control the pulse?

Answer 7

Stimulation of the SNS = heart rate rises

Stimulation of the PNS = heart rate slows

Question 8

How do baroreceptors help control the pulse?

Answer 8

If BP rises baroreceptors send impulses to vasometer centre of the brain (medulla oblongata)
This causes vasodilation to occur and there is a reduced heart rate.

Question 9

How do you asses a pulse?

Answer 9

Rate- tachycardia = more then >100bpm - Bradycardia is <50bpm
Rhythm = should be regular
Strength = reflects elasticity of artery walls
A thin threads pulse may indicate haemorrhage