Checking the pulse or heartbeat is a way to assess the
heart’s activity or circulation of a person. A pulse can be felt anywhere on
the body where an artery passes over a hard structure such as a bone. To take a
pulse, use the balls of your fingers (two or three fingers), and press lightly
at the body surface. DO NOT use the thumb as it has an artery of its own.
The common places to feel for a pulse:
Condition
|
Adult
and Child
|
Infant
|
Conscious
person
|
At the wrist
(Radial
Pulse)
 |
Upper arm
(Brachial
Pulse)
 |
NOTE:
The medical professionals are trained to check the pulse at the neck
(carotid pulse) for the unconscious adult and child, as well as the brachial pulse for the unconscious
infant.
Normal Pulse Rate
ADULT : 60-80 beats per minute
CHILD : 80-100 beats per minute
INFANT: 100-120 beats per minute
INFANT: 100-120 beats per minute
When taking the pulse, it is
important to take note of the following:
- · The RATE (beats per minute)- normal, slow or fast (rapid)
- · The STRENGTH – strong or weak
- · The RHYTHM – regular or irregular
Conditions
causing FAST breathing and pulse e.g
|
Conditions
causing SLOW breathing and pulse e.g
|
High Fever
Bleeding and Shock
Exercise
|
Rest
Sleep
Head injury
|
Skin Colour and Condition
The victim’s should be checked for
colour and moisture. Some illness can cause the skin to become excessively
moist or dry. The skin colour presented by the victim can be a sign of a
medical problem. The following skin colour can be observed:
- · Pale or white
- · Cyanosis or blue
- · Flushed or red
- · Jaundiced or yellow
- · Ashen or gray