What it means
A vital sign counted at a pulse point, most often the radial pulse at the wrist, or by listening at the apex of the heart (apical pulse). Along with the rate, the nurse notes the rhythm (regular or irregular) and strength. Children have faster rates than adults, and rates rise with exercise, fever, pain and anxiety.
For the nurse
Count for 30 seconds and double it if the rhythm is regular; count for a full minute if it is irregular, and count the apical pulse for a full minute before giving drugs such as digoxin.
At a glance
| Normal range | Adult at rest: 60–100 beats per minute |
|---|---|
| Spanish | frecuencia del pulso |
Related terms
heart rate
How many times the heart beats per minute.
vital signs
The basic body measurements: temperature, pulse, breathing rate and blood pressure, often with oxygen saturation and pain.
pulse
The throb of an artery felt with each heartbeat, used to count the heart rate and judge blood flow.
radial pulse
The pulse felt at the wrist, on the thumb side, over the radial artery.
apical pulse
The heartbeat counted by listening with a stethoscope over the tip (apex) of the heart, on the left side of the chest.