Pulse –Part 1

 Number of heartbeats/minute  Each pulse = wave of blood  Felt at a pulse point when pressing an artery against a bone

 Most common sites ▪ Radial – most often ▪ Apical – actually heard ▪ easiest one for infants & children ▪ Brachial – used for BP

 Adults  60 to 100 beats per minute  Small children  100 to 120 beats per minute  Infants  120 to 140 beats per minute

 Rate  Rhythm  Strength

 Rate –number of beats /min.  May be counted for 1 min. or 30 seconds x2  Report any number above or below normal range

 Rapid rate could be from  Fever, infection, heart failure, or medication  Slow or weak could be from  Dehydration, infection, shock, or medication

 Rhythm  Regularity or irregularity of beats  If there is an irregular beat count pulse for one full minute

 Strength  Strong, weak, or thready (changeable)  Report a weak or thready pulse