Where Is A Pulse? Pat Rutherford, RN Ed S HSTE - Intro April 21, 2003 ©

Pulse Sites This 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

What is a pulse site? A Where you listen to your heart beat. or Where you feel the pulse wave of an artery. B

Yeah, You Got It Keep Going

Measurement The 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. Thumb Feel the wave under your fingers, that is the pulse. Radial Artery

Yes No Can you find your Pulse ?

Now I am ready to continue Sometimes it is difficult to find a pulse if your press too hard against the artery or not hard enough Did that help? 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 (The Wave)

Recording a Pulse Rate SO Remember It is most important to remember the rate that was obtained. So… SO Always write down the findings after you count the rate

Now Try This Run in place for 4 minutes Count your radial pulse rate Record your findings Was the rate faster than the rate you recorded earlier? If the rate was different, what could make the change and why?

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

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