Assessment and Measurement of Pulse Rates

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Assessment and Measurement of Pulse Rates
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The measurement of a pulse tells you the number
of times the heart beats in one minute.
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The measurement of pulse rate is part of a
patients vital signs assessment.
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The pulse rate indicates how well the blood is
circulating throughout the body.
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When you take a pulse you are feeling the wave of
pressure that occurs as each heartbeat causes a
surge of blood circulating through the arteries.
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There are various locations for taking a pulse
rate.

• These locations are situated over major arteries
  in the body.

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The location of pulse sites on the body are

• Carotid
• Brachial
• Radial
• Popliteal
• Posterior Tibial
• Femoral
• Dorsalis Pedis

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The carotid pulse is located on the anterior
(front) right and left sides of the neck.

• A carotid pulse is normally taken when
  performing CPR on an adult or child victim.

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Location of Carotid Pulse
Right Carotid Pulse
Left Carotid Pulse
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The brachial pulse is located on the inside
aspect of the upper arm.

• The brachial pulse is used for taking an infants
  pulse during CPR.
• The brachial pulse is also palpated when
  performing blood pressure on patients.

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Location of Brachial Pulse
right brachial pulse site
left brachial pulse site
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The radial pulse is the most common site for
taking pulse measurements on adult patients.

• The radial pulse can be easily palpated on the
  thumb side of the wrist.

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Location of Radial Pulse
Right radial pulse
Left radial pulse
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The popliteal pulse is located behind the knee.

• The popliteal pulse may be used to check
  circulation of a patients leg or extremity.

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Location of Popliteal Pulse
Popliteal pulse (behind the knees)
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The femoral pulse is located in the front between
the upper leg and the lower hip, where the hip
bends.

• It is often used to check circulation of the leg.

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Location of the Femoral Pulse
Right Femoral Pulse
Left Femoral Pulse
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The dorsalis pedis pulse is found on the anterior
(front) side of the foot.

• The dorsalis pedis pulse is often used to check
  circulation of the foot.

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Location of Dorsalis Pedis Pulse
Right Dorsalis Pedis Pulse
Right Dorsalis Pedis Pulse
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The posterior tibial pulse is located on the
inner ankle area.

• The posterior tibial pulse is often used to
  assess circulation of the lower leg and foot.

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Location of Posterior Tibial Pulse
Right Posterior Tibial Pulse
Left Posterior Tibial Pulse
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A pulse can also be measured by listening
directly to a patients heart sounds.
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Listening directly over the heart requires a
special device called a stethoscope.
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Taking a pulse with a stethoscope and listening
to a heartbeat is called an apical pulse.

• An apical pulse is taken at the apex (pointed end
  of the heart) of the heart.
• It is usually heard by placing the stethoscope 2
  to 3 inches to the left of the sternum(breastbone)
  .

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A pulse assessment is based on three factors

• The rate of the pulse.
• The rhythm of the pulse.
• The force of the pulse.

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The rate of the pulse is measured by counting the
number of beats per minute.
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The force of the pulse assesses the strength of
the heart beat.

• The force of the pulse measures the volume of
  blood flow.
• A weak pulse may indicate a reduced volume of
  blood flow as in the condition of shock.

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The rhythm of the pulse is assessed by feeling or
listening to the heart rate and asking the
following questions 1.Is the pulse beating at
regular intervals, is it steady?2. Does the
pulse skip beats?
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The procedure for measuring and assessing a
radial pulse.

• Taking a radial pulse requires 3 pieces of
  equipment
• A watch with a second hand
• Paper
• Pen

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To palpate a radial pulse on yourself

• First you want to find the location of the radial
  pulse.
• Face the palm of your hand upward. The location
  of a radial pulse is on the inner wrist, at the
  base of your thumb.
• Use your 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fingers to find the
  pulse in the above location. Gently press your
  fingers on the radial artery and against the
  bone.

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Locating Radial Pulse
Finger location of radial pulse
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Hold your fingers on the pulse and assess these 3
areas

• What is the force of the pulse? How strong or
  weak does the pulse feel?
• What is the rhythm of the pulse? Is it regular or
  does it skip beats?
• What is the pulse rate? How many beats per minute
  is the heart rate?

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Measuring the pulse rate.

• Assemble your equipment.
• Place your watch so that you can see the time
  clearly.
• Locate the radial pulse.
• Count the beat of the pulse for 30 seconds. Time
  this interval by using the second hand of your
  watch.
• Write down the number of beats for 30 seconds and
  multiply this by 2.
• Now you have the heart rate per minute.
• Write down the heart rate per minute on your
  paper.

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Now it is your turn!Follow the procedure for
taking a radial pulse.

• What are your results?
• Did you assess the pulse in the 3 areas?
• What are your findings?
• Share the results with your instructor.

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Now we are going to have some fun measuring our
own heart rate and pulse.
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You are going to participate in 4 activities.
After each activity you are to take and record
your pulse rate per minute.
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Activity 1 Perform 25 jumping jacks.

• Take pulse immediately following this activity
  and record results.

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Activity 2Sit quietly for 5 minutes thinking
about a peaceful scene.

• Take and record your pulse rate immediately after
  this activity.

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Activity 3Listen to soft, quiet music for 5
minutes.

• Immediately after this exercise take and record
  your pulse rate.

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Activity 4Rub your stomach and pat the top of
your head for 5 minutes.

• Immediately take your pulse and record the
  results.

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This is the conclusion of the pulse activity.
You may go back to the title page and go to
power point lesson 3.