PULSES 1
determination that provide information about body conditions; include temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure
Vital Signs
the pressure of the blood against the wall of an artery as the heart beats (contracts and relaxes)
Pulse
pulse located at the bottom left portion of the heart
Apical Pulse
a condition in which blood pressure is too low
Hypotension
a slow pulse of less than 60 beats per minute
Bradycardia
pulse located on the thumb side of the wrist
Radial Pulse
a fast pulse over 100 beats per minute
Tachycardia
a condition in which blood pressure is too high
Hypertension
irregular or abnormal rhythm, usually referring to the heart rhythm
Arrhythmia
pulse taken at either side of the two main arteries located on each side of the neck
Carotid Pulse
pauses, regular, or irregular
Rhythm of pulse
part of a blood pressure reading that is taken when the heart muscle contracts and pushes blood through the artery
Systolic Pressure
the pulsation or throbbing sensation felt when the brachial artery, located in the upper arm, is palpated
Brachial Pulse
the pulsation or throbbing sensation felt in the temporal artery, located on the side of the head above and in front of the ear
Temporal Pulse
bounding, strong, weak, or thready
Quality of Pulses
part of a blood pressure reading that is taken when the heart muscle relaxes
Diastolic Pressure
feeling
palpation
3 things to note about a pulse
rate, rhythm, and quality
a palpable pulse located on the top of the foot, near the base of the big toe
Dorsalis Pedis Pulse
a medical device used to listen to body sounds such as breathing, heartbeats, and lung and bowel sounds; composed of two earpieces connected by flexible tubing with a diaphragm at its end
Stethoscope
a palpable pulse located in the groin area, specifically on the inner thigh
Femoral Pulse
the throbbing sensation felt when the blood flows through the popliteal artery behind the knee
Popliteal Pulse
listening or hearing
auscultation
blood pressure cuff
sphygmomanometer