PULSE

PULSE

pulse is the peripheral feeling of heart beat.Normally pulse is felt at wrist joint ,but it can be felt at any point where artery passes superficially over a bony surface.

DEDUCTION OF PULSE 

1. Rate of pulse 
2. character
3. Rhythm
4. Volume
5. condition of arterial wall.

Rate of pulse

Normal pulse rates varies between 60 to 80 per minutes in adult.The variation in normal healthy person occurs in following condition.

1. Age;it is slower in adult ,still slower in old age.it is fast in children and still faster in lower age group of children may be 100-130 per minute.
2. Sex;it is lower in men 60-75 per minute than in women 70-85 per minute.
3. Stature;slower in tall person than in short persons.
4. Position;it is slower in during rest and sleep.it is slower in sitting position than in standing position.
5. Emotion;anger,fear,excitement and during inter course pulse rate increases.

Rhythm of pulse

The rhythm of pulse refers to time interval between the beats.A normal rhythm has the same time spacing between two beats.This is known as regular interval then it is designated as irregular rhythm.The rythm becomes irregular in certain heart diseases.

Character of pulse

The character or form of pulse cannot be properly assessed by nursing staff.There are certain heart diseases where the character of pulse changes.The character of pulse can be designated as of small amplitude as in aortic stenosis great amplitude as in aortic incompetence or water hammer type or collapsing type.

Volume of pulse

This is amplitude of  movement of vessel wall during passage of blood or pulse wave.A pulse of large volume is found after physical exertion and in high fever.Pulse of small volume is found in haemorrhage and dehydration.

Condition of arterial wall

This  requires practice to assess condition of arterial wall by feeling pulse . Sufficient pressure should be exerted to empty blood from vessels and then the vessels rolled under the finger over the bony surface.

Procedure of counting pulse

• it is always better to record pulse at different sites.both radial and brachial pulse should be recorded.
• Do not give more pressure.
• Do not use thumb to feel pulse as the thumb has pulse of its own and it will interfere in correct recording.
• Use three finger tips for feeling pulse ,index,middle and ring finger.
• record pulse for full one minute,never take for fifteen seconds and multiply by four.
• place three finger on over radial artery at lateral side above wrist joint.
  

feeling of post- tibial pulse

• Pulse of a healthy new born is usually not taken.
• A baby,s pulse is best felt at inner side of ankle rather than at wrist.
• While crying or struggling baby,s pulse should not be taken.
• The pulse of few months old baby who are not serious are not usually recorded.
• The nurse should keep in mind that lesser the age of baby more is the pulse varying from 100-130 per minute.

https://nurseseducation2020.blogspot.com/2020/02/respiration.html