how to take pulse rate in nursing

 

Pulse

Pusle is expansion of the artery wall due to pressure from the blood being pumped from heart through the artery to the rest of the body

It is felt from the artery whenever it passes over the bone. Pulse represents how the heart is beating.

Common term use when describing pulse

Dicrotic pulse is a term used to describe double pule

Bradycardia is a abnormally slow pulse rate. (pulse rate lower than normal)

Tachycardia is a rapid pulse rate (pulse rate higher than normol)

Irregular pulse is a uneven beat.(when pulse pauses or interrupted)

Sites for taking pulse rate in the body

We have very many site in the body where pulse can be taken from ,this provide many option for reading pulse.

 Pulse sites in the body

Temporal artery

Carotid artery

Brachial artery

Radial artery

Femoral artery

Popliteal artery

Posterior tibial artery

Dorsalis pedis artery

Normal ranges of pulse

Pulse has different ranges according to different age group. Because the rate through which the heart beats is also different.

Adult 

The normal pulse rate in adult range from 60 to 90 beats per minute

Children 

The normal pulse rate in children range from 90 to 140 beats per minute

Infants

The normal pulse rate in infants range from 120 to 140 beats per minute

New born

The normal pulse rate in new born range from 120 to 150 beats per minute

Observation made while taking pulse rate

Rate 

This is a number of beat in a minute.ie how many beats  recorded in 1 minute.

Volume

This is how strong the pulse is. this indicate the amount of blood flowing through the artery

Rhythm

This is equal interval between the pusle ie regularity of the puse

Tention 

This is the state of artery wall.

Instrument use for taking pulse

Ox pulsometer

Monitor

Hand use for feeling manually

Requirements for taking pulse

A tray containing

Nurses Watch for timing

Chart where the pulse will be recorded

Pen for recording the pulse

Procedure for taking pulse

• Explain the procedure to the patient or attendant to obtain his or her consent and build trust.
• Screen the bed to provide privacy
• Bring the tray near the patient bed side for easy accesses of the instrument
• Position the patient in sitting pu position or lying in a comfortable position
• Wash hand.
• Place the first three finger over artery using a steady pressure
• Start counting the beat silently and make your observation while feeling the pulse for one minute
• Give the finding to the patient
• Thank and leave the patient comfortably
• Wash hand 
• Record the pulse in the patient’s chart and report any abnormality

NB

Pulse is always taken together with temperature while the thermometer is in place.

If the pulse is normal in any way count have way the multiply by 2 to make full count.