Pulse/Heart Rate

Question 1

Define pulse rate

Answer 1

It’s a rhythmic expansion of the arterial wall as it is strutted by a wave of blood

Question 2

State 5 things pulse is effected by

Answer 2

age, exercise, stress, injury/disease, pregnancy/labour

Question 3

Define frequency

Answer 3

the rate of contraction of left ventricle

Question 4

Define volume

Answer 4

indicates strength of ventricular contractions

Question 5

Define rhythm

Answer 5

determined by assessing the regularity of the pressure waves and may assist in determining if the heart is beating regularly

Question 6

What might an irregular pulse indicate?

Answer 6

abnormality in the hearts conductive system

Question 7

Factors affecting heart rate

Answer 7

medication, trauma, pain, fitness, infection, age, sleep, temperature, poor circulation, cardiac abnormality

Question 8

‘bpm’ means…

Answer 8

beats per minute

Question 9

What’s ‘normal pulse’?

Answer 9

60-100 bpm

Question 10

What’s ‘resting pulse’?

Answer 10

60-80 bpm

Question 11

What’s bradycardia pulse?

Answer 11

below 60 bpm

Question 12

What’s tachycardia pulse?

Answer 12

above 100 bpm

Question 13

What does asystole mean?

Answer 13

Absent pulse rate

Question 14

What is ‘bradycardia’ pulse

Answer 14

Abnormally slow

Question 15

What is ‘tachycardia’ pulse

Answer 15

Abnormally fast

Question 16

Explain irregular pulse

Answer 16

no clear pattern, may have ‘gaps’

Question 17

Explain weak pulse

Answer 17

not strong on palpations

Question 18

Explain ‘thready’ pulse

Answer 18

weak, can be irregular

Question 19

How do you take a heart rate/pulse?

Answer 19

• tell patient what you’re doing
• gain consent
• need clock with 2nd hand
• place 2 or 3 fingers over outer aspect of inside of wrist
• count beats for 60 seconds
• document records