Pulse Monitoring and Management

Pulse Monitoring Pulse monitoring is a fundamental clinical skill in medicine, used to assess the cardiovascular status of a patient. This guide covers all essential aspects of pulse examination and management for medical students, helping them prepare for practical and theoretical exams. 1. Definition of Pulse Pulse is the rhythmic expansion and recoil of arteries due to the contraction of the heart, specifically the left ventricle. It provides crucial information about heart rate, rhythm, and vascular health. 2. Physiological Basis of Pulse Cardiac Cycle: Systole and diastole create pressure waves in arteries. Stroke Volume: The amount of blood ejected per beat influences pulse strength. Arterial Elasticity: Determines the nature of the pulse wave. 3. Normal Pulse Characteristics Rate : 60-100 beats per minute (bpm) in adults. Rhythm : Regular or irregular. Volume : Weak, normal, or bounding. Character : Fast-rising, slow-rising, dicrotic, collapsing, etc. Tension : Hard (high BP) or soft (low BP). Eq…