How to assess a pulseFrom Healthcare Science Technology by Kathryn A.

Booth

A pulse is a wave of blood flow created by a contraction of the heart.

A pulse can be palpated or auscaltated.

Pulse sitesSites are usually

named according to the bones or other

structures near where they are

located.The most common

pulses assessed with vital signs are the radial, brachial,

and apical.

Apical Pulse

The apical pulse is auscultated with a stethoscope placed on the chest wall. The apical pulse is found at the apex of the heart, which is located to the left side of the sternum and under the fifth to sixth intercostal space. In infants and young children, it is found closer to the midline of the left chest.

Medical termsTachycardia- a pulse

rate faster than normal.

Causes: Physical or mental

stress Pain Exercise Infection fever

Bradycardia- a pulse rate slower than normal.

Causes: Physically fit

athletes Medication that

slows the heart rate Lack of O2 or

decreased blood pressure

It’s not just beats per minute!

Characteristics of the pulse:

1. Rate2. Rhythm3. Volume4. Bilateral presence

Age Range

Newborn 120-160

1 month -1 year

80-140

1-6 years 80-120

6 years to puberty

75-110

Adulthood 72-80 (60-100)

Late adulthood 60-80

Pulse quality Rhythm- is it

regular with evenly paced beats or irregular? A person with irregular pulse rate is said to have an arrhythmia or dysrhythmia.

Pulse qualityVolume- the strength

of the pulse. The volume can be described with this scale:

0-absent 1-thready or weak 2-strong or normal 3-bounding or full,

difficult to obliterate with fingertips

Pulse quality Bilateral presence-

means pulses are found within the same areas on both sides of the body and have the same rate, rhythm, and volume.

When you assess vital signs perform the least invasive first.

Use this order if possible:

1. Pulse2. Respiration3. Temperatur

e 4. Blood

pressure

Record in this order:

T-P-R-BP

Differences in pulse and respiratory rates

Normal rates will differ with age. Use this website to complete the

chart on your study guide