The pulse rate is a peripheral measure of the heart rate. It can be measured using manual techniques or automatic electronic devices. The pulse rate is a simple measurement that clinicians can use to assess patients\u2019 physiological status. Serial measurements are useful in monitoring patients, and identifying changes in a patient\u2019s condition. Examples of electronic devices which measure & display pulse rate include; pulse oximeters and electronic blood pressure monitors. It is important to note that while these devices will show the pulse rate, they will not give any information regarding the rhythm or character of the pulse \u2013 for this, the pulse measurement should be taken manually.<\/p>\n
Once you have watched this video, why not attempt the multiple choice quiz to test your knowledge?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The pulse rate is a peripheral measure of the heart rate. It can be measured using manual techniques or automatic electronic devices. The pulse rate is a simple measurement that clinicians can use to assess patients\u2019 physiological status. Serial measurements are useful in monitoring patients, and identifying changes in a patient\u2019s condition. Examples of electronic […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tomorrows-clinicians","category-uncategorized","entry"],"youtubeVideo":"510279969\/fde4439279","question1":"What two machines measure and display pulse rate?","answers1":"Oximeter and digital thermometer\r\n| Oximeters and automatic blood pressure monitors\r\n| Electrocardiogram (ECG) and peak flow meter\r\n| Automatic blood pressure monitors and BM machines","correctAnswer1":"1","correctAnswerText1":"","question2":"Which of the following statements is correct when recording the pulse automatically:","answers2":"The machine will provide information regarding the rate and rhythm of the pulse\r\n| The machine will provide information regarding rate and volume of the pulse but not character.\r\n| The machine will provide information regarding the rate of the pulse but not rhythm or character\r\n| The machine will provide information regarding rate, rhythm and character of the pulse","correctAnswer2":"2","correctAnswerText2":"","question3":"In order to gather information regarding rhythm and character of the pulse you should:","answers3":"Perform an ECG\r\n| Insert central access\r\n| Record the blood pressure\r\n| Take the pulse rate manually","correctAnswerText3":"","correctAnswer3":"3","question4":"What other reading is provided when measuring the pulse rate automatically?","answers4":"Oxygen saturation level\r\n| Temperature\r\n| Respiratory rate\r\n| PaO2 concentration","correctAnswer4":"0","correctAnswerText4":"","question5":"The optimal position for the patient having their pulse recorded is:","answers5":"Lying \r\n| Standing \r\n| 45 degrees\r\n| Positioned comfortably","correctAnswer5":"3","correctAnswerText5":"","question6":"The definition of a tachycardia is:","answers6":">80bpm\r\n| >90bpm\r\n| >100bpm\r\n| >110bpm","correctAnswer6":"2","correctAnswerText6":"","question7":"The definition of a bradycardia is:","answers7":"<70 bpm\r\n| <60 bpm\r\n| <50bpm\r\n| <40bpm","correctAnswer7":"1","correctAnswerText7":"","question8":"After taking the pulse rate automatically, you should:","answers8":"Document the patient\u2019s pulse on the observation chart, inform relevant personnel for review if necessary, clean and store the equipment and wash your hands\r\n| Document the patient\u2019s pulse on the observation chart and leave the probe attached for continuous monitoring \r\n| Repeat the reading routinely in ten minutes\r\n| Document the patient\u2019s pulse in the notes and wash your hands","correctAnswer8":"0","correctAnswerText8":"","question9":"You identify a patient has a new pulse rate of 150bpm. You verify this reading manually and it is correct. You should now:","answers9":"Repeat the reading in 1 hour\r\n| Repeat the reading in 30 minutes\r\n| Inform the appropriate personnel and get the patient reviewed\r\n| Increase the rate of their intravenous fluids","correctAnswer9":"2","correctAnswerText9":"","question10":"After recording a patient\u2019s pulse automatically, the fast rate prompts you to check the character manually. Manually, you identify that it is irregularly irregular in timing and volume. What is the likely diagnosis?","answers10":"Normal sinus rhythm\r\n| Atrial fibrillation\r\n| First degree heart block\r\n| Pulsus alternans","correctAnswer10":"1","correctAnswerText10":"","question11":"","answers11":"","correctAnswer11":"","correctAnswerText11":"","question12":"","answers12":"","correctAnswer12":"","correctAnswerText12":"","question13":"","answers13":"","correctAnswer13":"","correctAnswerText13":"","question14":"","answers14":"","correctAnswer14":"","correctAnswerText14":"","question15":"","answers15":"","correctAnswer15":"","correctAnswerText15":"","icon":"managing-an-ecg-monitor","parentId":"","recapId":"356","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vapp.rguc.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vapp.rguc.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vapp.rguc.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vapp.rguc.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vapp.rguc.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=28"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/vapp.rguc.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":516,"href":"https:\/\/vapp.rguc.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28\/revisions\/516"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vapp.rguc.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=28"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vapp.rguc.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=28"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vapp.rguc.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=28"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}