Transcript lec2-pulse

Chapter 1
Vital Signs
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Signs 2
Temperature
 Pulse
 Respiration
 Blood Pressure

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Chapter 9
Pulse

A wave of
blood flow
created by a
contraction
of the heart.
A.
E.
B.
F.
C.
G.
D.
H.
Name these pulses.
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Chapter 9
Pulse Sites (Answers)
A. Temporal
B. Femoral
C. Popliteal
D. Posterior tibial
E. Carotid
F. Brachial
G. Radial
H. Dorsalis pedis
Back
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Chapter 9
Factors affecting pulse:
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Age; as age increases, the pulse rate gradually
decreases.
Gender, male’s pulse rate is slightly lower than the
female’s.
Exercise; the pulse rate normally increase with
activity
Fever; the pulse rate increases in response to the
lowered blood pressure that results from peripheral
vasodilatation associated with elevated temperature
and because of the increased metabolic rate.
Medications; some medications decrease the pulse
rate, and others increase it such as digitalis decrease
the heart rate.
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Pathology; certain diseases such as some heart
conditions or those with impair oxygenation can
alter the resting pulse rate.
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Chapter 9
Pulse (cont.)

Pulse sites most
commonly used:
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Radial pulse – located
inside the wrist, near the
thumb.
Brachial pulse – found in
the antecubital space of
the arm (the bend of the
elbow) in adults.
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Chapter 9
Pulse (cont.)

Pulse Sites (cont.)
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Apical pulse –
auscultated with a
stethoscope on the
chest wall. The pulse
is found at the apex of
the heart.
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Chapter 9
Pulse Sites
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Pulse Sites
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Temporal; passes over the temporal bone of the
head. The site is superior and lateral to the eye.
Carotid; at the side of the neck between the trachea
and the sternocleiodomastoid muscle.
Apical; at the apex of the hearty. About 8cm to the
left of the sternum and at the fourth and sixth
intercostals space.
Brachial; at the inner aspect of the biceps muscle of
the arm
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Radial; on the thumb side of the inner aspect of the
wrist
Femoral; alongside the inguinal ligaments
Popliteal; where the popliteal arteries passedbehind
the knee
Posterior tibial; on the medial surface of the ankle,
to check the distal circulation in the lower
extremities
Pedal “dorsalis pedis”; over the bones of the feet to
check the distal circulation in the lower extremities
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Assessing the Pulse
A pulse is normally palpated by applying moderate
pressure with the three middle fingers of the hand. A
pulse is commonly assessed by palpation “feeling’ or
auscultation “hearing”.
Apical pulse; if the peripheral pulse is difficult to assess
accurately because it is irregular. The apical pulse
located at 5-6 intercostals rib.
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A Doppler ultrasound stethoscope (DUS) is used for
pulses that are difficult to assess.
The nurse should aware of the following:
 Any medications that could affect the heart rate.
 Whether the client has been physically active.
 Whether the client should assume a particular
position.
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When assessing the pulse the nurse collect the following
data:
1. Rate, an excessively fast heart rate over 100 BPM in an
adult is called Tachycardia. A heart rate in an adult of less
than 60BPM is called Bradycardia.
2. Rhythm is the pattern of the beats and the intervals between
the beats. A pulse with an irregular rhythm is referred to as
a dysrhythmia or arrhythmia.
3. Volume is called pulse strength or amplitude, refers to the
force of blood with each beat. It can range from absent to
bounding.
4. Elasticity of the arterial wall reflects its expansibility or its
deformities. A healthy, normal artery feels straight, smooth,
soft, and pliable. Elders often have inelastic arteries that feel
twisted and irregular upon palpation.
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Pulse (cont.)

Characteristics of the Pulse
– Pulse Rate(60-100)beats
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Assessed as beats per minute, or
BPM.
Counted for 15, 20, 30, or 60
seconds.
Tachycardia – a pulse rate faster
than normal.more than 100
Bradycardia – a pulse rate slower
than normal.less than 60
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Chapter 9
Rhythm
Regular
Pulse (cont.)

Characteristics of the Pulse
(cont.)
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Pulse Rhythm – the pattern of
the heartbeats.
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Irregular
A client with an irregular
heartbeat (arrhythmia or
dysrhythmia) must be
measured a full minute to
determine the average rate.
When documenting pulse
rhythm, record as regular or
irregular.
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Click Pictures for
Sounds
Chapter 9
Pulse (cont.)
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Characteristics of the Pulse (cont.)
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Pulse volume, or strength of the pulse, can
be measured with the following scale:
 0 – absent, unable to detect.
 1 – thready or weak, difficult to palpate,
and easily obliterated by light pressure
from fingertips.
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Chapter 9
Pulse (cont.)

Characteristics of the Pulse
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Pulse Volume (cont.)
 2 – strong or normal, easily found and
obliterated by strong pressure from
fingertips.
 3 – bounding or full, difficult to obliterate
with fingertips.
 A thready or weak pulse may indicate
decreased circulation. A bounding pulse
may indicate high blood pressure.
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Chapter 9
Pulse (cont.)

Characteristics of the Pulse (cont.)
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Bilateral Presence – pulses should be
found within the same areas on both
sides of the body and have the same
rate, rhythm, and volume.
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Chapter 9
Section 9-1
Apply Your Knowledge
Where would one measure
tympanic temperature?
Answer:
Tympanic temperature is
measured in the ear canal.
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Chapter 9
Order of Performance

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Perform the least invasive vital sign
first.
Use this order if possible:
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Respiratory rate.
Pulse.
Temperature.
Blood pressure.
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Chapter 9