Module 9: Vital Signs: Pulse and Respiration
Pulse Assessment
Pulse Rate
Pulse Points
Sites on the sufrace of the body where rhythmic beats of an artery can be easily felt
most commonly used pulse point is over the radial artery in the wrist
Radial Artery
brance of the brachial artery beginning below the elbow and extending down the forearm on the thumb side of the wrist and into the hand
Indication of an individual's heart rate
Measured by counting the number of rhythmich beats that can be felt over an artery in 1 minute
bpm (beats per minute)
Normal adult heart rate is between 60-100 beats per minute (bpm)
Rapid or slow pulse rates are not necessarily abnormal
Athletes tend to have slow pulse rates at rest
increased pulse rates may be a normal response to stress, exercise, or pain
Assessing Respiration
Respiratory Rate
determined by counting the number of respirations in 1 minute
one inhalation AND one exhalation= one respiration
Normal adult respiratory rate is between 14-20 breaths per minute
Elderly patients tend to have higher resting respiratory rates
Excitement, exercise, pain, and fever increase respiratory rate
Control of Respiration
Respiration is mostly unconscious
Easily brought under voluntary control
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