Metropolitan Ambulance Service
STAGES
Rural Ambulance Victoria
Work
Instruction
Version 1
1/3/01
Palpate and Record a
Radial Pulse
EQUIPMENT:
Patient
KEY POINTS
1. Prepare patient
1. Position – supine, sitting or reclining.
2. Explanation procedure to patient.
3. Rest arm across chest.
2. Locate radial
artery
1. Ventral aspect of wrist.
2. Lateral to flexor tendon.
3. Locate artery.
3. Palpate radial
pulse
1. Feel pulsation by light pressure application at site.
2. Count rate for 15 seconds or 30 seconds, if irregular.
3. Note rhythm and strength.
4. Record
1. Multiply 15 second rate x 4 (or 30 second x 2) and
record.
2. Record rhythm - regular/irregular.
3. Record strength - strong/weak.
Number
WI: 2.1.3
Sheet 1 of 1
RATIONALE
To calculate rate per
minute.
Metropolitan Ambulance Service
Rural Ambulance Victoria
Work
Instruction
Version 1
1/3/01
Palpate and Record a
Radial Pulse
EQUIPMENT:
Patient
ACTIVITY
CRITICAL PERFORMANCE
Number
WI: 2.1.3
Sheet 1 of 1
COMPETENCY
ASSESSMENT
PASS
FAIL
1. Prepare patient
1. Positions patient – sitting supine or reclining.
2. Explains procedure to patient.
3. Positions arm across chest.
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2. Locate radial artery
1. Ventral aspect of wrist.
2. Lateral to flexor tendon.
3. Locates artery.
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3. Palpate radial pulse
1. Feels pulsation by light pressure application at site.
2. Counts rate for 15 seconds or 30 seconds if irregular.
3. Notes rhythm and strength.
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4. Record
1. Records:
- rate per minute;
- rhythm;
- strength.
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2. Accuracy:
- plus or minus 5 beats per minute.
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CANDIDATES NAME: ____________________________________________
DATE:________________
Comments: ...................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................
Instructor:
(please
print)
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Satisfactory
practical
performance
Unsatisfactory
practical
performance