Accurate Pulse Assessment by Radial Artery Palpation: A Pilot Study
Major
Nursing, BSN
Submission Type
Oral Presentation
Area of Study or Work
Nursing
Expected Graduation Date
2023
Location
CNS E102 2.2 Healthcare and Mental Health
Start Date
4-15-2023 10:30 AM
End Date
4-15-2023 11:30 AM
Abstract
Assessment of a person's pulse is a routine yet essential step to evaluate an individual’s health status. A patient’s pulse rate informs healthcare workers of the status of a variety of body systems, including cardiac, neurologic, and endocrine functions. A pulse is assessed by counting the number of heartbeats either palpated over an artery for a specified period of time, or via an electrocardiographic (ECG) monitor attached to the subject. Despite the widespread and frequent need for pulse assessment, there are a variety of methods for both the start point and count interval utilized to perform this assessment and each lacks strong supporting evidence. Additionally, published research testing pulse assessments utilized a sample of young healthy participants without arrhythmias or cardiac issues, limiting generalizability (Hwu et al., 2020; Stankute, 2022). The purpose of this study is to determine if a pulse palpated on the radial artery should be counted beginning with “zero” or “one,” and to test the exact length of time the pulse should be counted, (i.e., 15, 30, or 60 seconds) to be reliable. After sitting or lying quietly for 5 minutes, the first researcher will palpate the radial pulse for one minute and compare the beats per minute with the second researcher using simultaneous telemetry monitoring as the standard for accuracy. The researchers hypothesize that beginning the palpated radial pulse count with “zero” will yield more accurate results compared to starting the pulse count with “one,” and that counting the pulse for 15 or 30 seconds (and multiplying to estimate beats over one full minute) will be more accurate than counting for a full minute. Findings will inform healthcare providers of the most accurate methods to assess pulse so providers can reliably report and compare results without discrepancies and differentiate important changes in this vital sign.
Accurate Pulse Assessment by Radial Artery Palpation: A Pilot Study
CNS E102 2.2 Healthcare and Mental Health
Assessment of a person's pulse is a routine yet essential step to evaluate an individual’s health status. A patient’s pulse rate informs healthcare workers of the status of a variety of body systems, including cardiac, neurologic, and endocrine functions. A pulse is assessed by counting the number of heartbeats either palpated over an artery for a specified period of time, or via an electrocardiographic (ECG) monitor attached to the subject. Despite the widespread and frequent need for pulse assessment, there are a variety of methods for both the start point and count interval utilized to perform this assessment and each lacks strong supporting evidence. Additionally, published research testing pulse assessments utilized a sample of young healthy participants without arrhythmias or cardiac issues, limiting generalizability (Hwu et al., 2020; Stankute, 2022). The purpose of this study is to determine if a pulse palpated on the radial artery should be counted beginning with “zero” or “one,” and to test the exact length of time the pulse should be counted, (i.e., 15, 30, or 60 seconds) to be reliable. After sitting or lying quietly for 5 minutes, the first researcher will palpate the radial pulse for one minute and compare the beats per minute with the second researcher using simultaneous telemetry monitoring as the standard for accuracy. The researchers hypothesize that beginning the palpated radial pulse count with “zero” will yield more accurate results compared to starting the pulse count with “one,” and that counting the pulse for 15 or 30 seconds (and multiplying to estimate beats over one full minute) will be more accurate than counting for a full minute. Findings will inform healthcare providers of the most accurate methods to assess pulse so providers can reliably report and compare results without discrepancies and differentiate important changes in this vital sign.
Comments
The author earned University Honors for this work; see https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/nursing_honproj/56