© 2016 Cengage Learning ®. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Pulse and Respiration Unit 19

© 2016 Cengage Learning ®. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Objectives Spell and define terms. Define pulse. Explain the importance of monitoring a pulse rate. Locate the pulse sites. Identify the range of normal pulse and respiratory rates. 2

© 2016 Cengage Learning ®. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Objectives Measure the pulse at different locations. List the characteristics of the pulse and respiration. List eight guidelines for using the stethoscope. 3

© 2016 Cengage Learning ®. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. The Pulse Pressure of the blood felt against the wall of an artery –As the heart alternately contracts and relaxes More easily felt in arteries that are fairly close to the skin 4

© 2016 Cengage Learning ®. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. The Pulse Same in all arteries throughout the body An indication of how the cardiovascular system is meeting the body’s needs 5

© 2016 Cengage Learning ®. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Radial Pulse Most commonly measured pulse Measured at the radial artery in the wrist 6

© 2016 Cengage Learning ®. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Using a Stethoscope Clean ear pieces and diaphragm of the stethoscope before using it Clean stethoscope tubing if it contacts patient or bed linen Check ear pieces for wax –Remove it if present 7

© 2016 Cengage Learning ®. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Using a Stethoscope Check stethoscope tubing –Do not use if it has cracks or holes in it Position ear pieces facing forward 8

© 2016 Cengage Learning ®. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Using a Stethoscope Diaphragm of stethoscope –Should not contact the patient’s clothing, blood pressure cuff, or other device Place the diaphragm flat against the skin and hold it in place –If the diaphragm is at an angle, you will not be able to hear the sounds 9

© 2016 Cengage Learning ®. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Using a Stethoscope Apply firm, but gentle pressure when holding the diaphragm in place –If you press too hard, you may be unable to hear the sound 10

© 2016 Cengage Learning ®. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. The Apical Pulse Measured by counting the heart contractions 11

© 2016 Cengage Learning ®. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Apical-Radial Pulse Rate Apical and radial pulse rate is a comparison of the apical rate and the radial rate –Usually, they are the same 12

© 2016 Cengage Learning ®. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Respiration The main function of respiration is to supply cells in the body with oxygen The second function is to rid the body of excess carbon dioxide 13

© 2016 Cengage Learning ®. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Respiration Because breathing may be voluntarily controlled –Patient should not know you are counting respirations Note whether the patient’s breathing is –Normal (easy) or labored (dyspneic) –Shallow or deep, and quiet or noisy 14

© 2016 Cengage Learning ®. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Respiration Check the muscles of the neck and abdomen If the patient is using these muscles for breathing, inform the nurse 15