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Chapter 6: Cardiovascular System
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Learning Tip With a partner, practice locating pulse points on one another as identified in Figure 6-5 and name each as you palpate (feel) it. Use the pads of your first two fingers to press firmly on the area but not too hard. Different areas may require different amounts of pressure. Count how many beats you feel in one minute. Try finding a pulse after your partner has been sitting quietly and again after they have exercised for a few minutes. Compare the two results.
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FIGURE 6-4 Cardiac rhythm (normal and abnormal rhythms): ( A ) normal sinus rhythm (NSR); ( B ) atrial fibrillation (AF, A-fib); ( C ) sinus rhythm with premature atrial contractions (PACs); ( D ) sinus rhythm with premature ventricular contractions (PVCs); ( E ) ventricular fibrillation (V-fib); ( F ) ventricular tachycardia (VT, V-tach).
(HR) and is a vital sign that is measured by counting the number of beats felt per minute (bpm) while the person is at rest. The normal resting heart rate var- ies by person but typically falls between 60 and 100 bpm. It is normal for heart rate to increase with physical activity, illness, and emotions. If the resting heart rate is higher than normal for the person, it is called tachycardia ( tachy- = fast). If the number is lower than normal for the person, it is called bradycardia ( brady- = slow). The pulse points on large arteries, sometimes called pressure points, may be compressed to slow bleeding in the case of hemorrhage.
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