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Module 9: Vital Signs: Pulse and Respiration (pulse patterns (regular:…
Module 9: Vital Signs: Pulse and Respiration
pulse rate
indication of an individual's heart rate
measured by counting the number of beats that can be felt in 1 minute
normal adult heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute
athletes tend to have slower rates
pulse points
sites on the surface of the body where rhythmic beats of an artery can be easily felt
most commonly used in dental setting - radial artery in wrist
respiratory rate
determined by counting the number of respirations in one minute
one inhalation and one exhalation = one respiration
normal adult rate: between 14 and 20 breaths per minute
elderly typically have higher resting respiratory rates
control of respiration
voluntary control: breath-holding, panting, use of expiratory air to speak, singing, or sighing at will
counting respirations while appearing to count the pulse helps to keep the patient from being conscious of his or her breathing and possibly altering rate
pulse patterns
regular: evenly spaced beats
irregularly irregular: no real pattern, difficult to measure accurately
regularly irregular: regular pattern overall with "skipped" beats
normal amplitude: full, strong pulse that is easily felt
abnormal amplitude: weak pulse that is not easily felt