Where Is A

Pulse?

Pat Rutherford, RN Ed S

HSTE - Intro

April 21, 2003 ©

Pulse SitesThis is where you

may feel the pulse wave to get a heart rate.

Where the wave is felt is called a pulse site.

This is the best site to feel

Where you listen to your heart beat.

Where you feel the pulse wave of an artery.

A

B

or

Yeah, You Got It

Keep Going

MeasurementThe site used to feel the pulse is at the

radial artery. Located below your thumb. Use two fingers, not your thumb.

Locate your radial pulse site.

Feel the wave under your fingers, that is the pulse.

Radial Artery

Thumb

Yes No

Sometimes it is difficult to find a pulse if your press too hard against the artery or not hard enough

Now I am ready to continue

Palpate (to feel) a Pulse

Keep two fingers on the radial artery; do not use your thumb, it has it’s own pulse.

Count the pulse sensation for one full minute.

Record the results by writing on a sheet of paper

It is most important to remember the rate that was obtained.

So…

SO

Always write down the findings after you count the rate

Recording a Pulse RateRemember

Run in place for 4 minutesCount your radial pulse rateRecord your findingsWas the rate faster than the rate

you recorded earlier?If the rate was different, what

could make the change and why?

Now Try This

Keep Going

Obtain 10 other students pulse rates.Remember to record each finding.Put the information into the

spreadsheet.Whose rate was the fastest?Whose rate was the slowest?Was there any result that was

irregular?

Great Job!

Want to color your heart beat picture try this linkLUBDUB color toon.doc

http://www.home.connectnet.com/eoinf/heartrate.htmlhttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/eheart/facts.html

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