The purpose of taking a pulse is to see whether a service user is sick or diagnose with an illness or even if they don’t have an illness we need to measure if the person to see if the body is working properly, this can help see if these any sign of the body not coping, in the life style. Also to ensure that the service user’s body temperature is not too high or too low.
The steps in which. Pulse is taken is:
- Explain to the service user what you are about to do.
- Ensure that the service user is as relaxed as possible - one who is distressed may have a faster pulse.
- And also checked if the service user had taken any medication - this may alter the pulse rate.
- Record the radial pulse, because the wrist the easiest place to record pulse rate.
- Place my first and second finger along the artery - apply light pressure until you feel the pulse.
- Count the pulse for a full minute in order to detect any arrhythmias
- Made sure that the service user is comfortable.
- Document the findings on the service users’ observation chart.
Care workers should explain to the service uses everything about pulse rate, when it increases and when it decreases, and also ask the service users for their permission before measuring the rate of their pulse. In Greyfriers, there was an incident when Nicole was getting her regular pulse measurement, the care worker forgot to tell her about when can pulse rate increase and when it can decrease, after measuring the pulse, she had told Nicole that her rhythm of her heart was going in a fast rate, hearing this Nicole became anxious, it had made Nicole worried because she thought something is has gone wrong with her body, when the care worker found out she was worried, then she explained to her about the rate of pulse, it is very important to explain before taking the reading, then the service user is well aware of what is happening. The rate of her pulse was fast because she had done exercise before and when doing exercise, oxygen is released from the body more rapidly. Due to this, the heart rate increases to carry oxygenated blood to the muscles and organs so that they stay in working order.
A Normal Heart Rate?
A Resting Heart Rate anywhere in the range of 60 - 90 is considered in the normal range. A Heart Rate will fluctuate a lot depending on such factors as to activity level and stress level. If however, your pulse is consistently above 90, you should consult with your physician. This condition is called tachycardia (increased heart rate).
Many athletes have pulse rates in the 40 - 60 range, depending on how fit they are. In general, a lower pulse rate is good. Sometimes however, one's heart rate can be too low. This is known as bradycardia and can be dangerous, especially when blood pressure gets too low as well. Symptoms include weakness, loss of energy and fainting. If this situation applies, medical attention should be sought immediately.
If the pattern of beats or throbs you count is irregular (i. e. a beat is missed) take your pulse for a full minute. If you experience irregularities in your pulse on a consistent basis, you should consult with your personal physician.
Many factors influence heart rate. These include emotions, temperatures, your position or posture (sitting, standing, laying down), and your body size (if you are overweight for your size, your heart will have to work harder to supply energy to your body).
Why is high heart rate bad for you?
A high heart rate is also bad because the faster your heart beats; the harder it is exerting effort to pump blood to the rest of your body. Once you heart beats for more than 83 times in a minute, you should seek medication attention and discuss with your doctor why your heart is racing so fast. Although it is normal to experience an increase in heart rate whenever you exercise or exert yourself in any other way, continuously high heart rate puts you at a greater risk of suffering from heart attack in the coming years. The problem with a high heart rate is that it can affect blood pressure readings and produce inaccurate information. High heart rate also causes to knock down plaque from the artery walls, leading to blockages and eventually heart attacks.
Body temperature:
Equipment needed foe measuring body temperature:
- Disposable/ electronic thermometer.
- Watch with second hand.
- Thermometer cover - if using an electronic thermometer.
- Gloves and box of tissues - for recording rectal temperature.
The steps:
There are many kinds of ear thermometers. Carefully read the instructions before using your thermometer. The following steps may help you use your ear thermometer:
- Take the thermometer out of its holder.
- Put a new, throw-away cover over the tip of the thermometer.
- Hold your child's head so it does not move, or tell the person not to move his head.
- If you are checking a child's temperature, gently pull the child's ear straight back. For an adult, gently pull the ear up and then back.
- Put the covered tip into the ear opening. Do not use force or push hard. The thermometer tip should not touch the ear drum.
- Press the button to turn on the thermometer.
- Hold the button until the thermometer beeps, or follow the instructions for your thermometer.
- Remove the thermometer from the ear opening.
- The temperature will show up in the "window".
- Your caregiver may want you to keep a temperature record. Write down the time and the temperature each time you take it.
- Remove and discard the throw-away cover.
- Place the thermometer back into the holder.
Body temperature is a measure of the body's ability to generate and get rid of heat. The body is very good at keeping its temperature within a narrow, safe range in spite of large variations in temperatures outside the body.
When you are too hot, the blood vessels in your skin expand (dilate) to carry the excess heat to your skin's surface. You may begin to sweat, and as the sweat evaporates, it helps cool your body. When you are too cold, your blood vessels narrow (contract) so that blood flow to your skin is reduced to conserve body heat. You may start shivering, which is an involuntary, rapid contraction of the muscles. This extra muscle activity helps generate more heat. Under normal conditions, this keeps your body temperature within a narrow, safe range.
Body temperature is measured by liquid thermometers, but nowadays digital electronic temp indicators are very commonly used. It is important to note that there will be difference in temperature obtained at different places in the body. Oral, rectal, core and gut temperatures are all different. Oral measurement shows the lowest temperature. This is also influenced by external factors like breathing with mouth, drinking, smoking, etc. Cold drinks decrease the oral temperature while hot drinks and smoking increase the measured value.
Hypothermia (a temperature below 35°C) occurs where the mechanisms to create heat production are ineffective. Causes include:
- Metabolic derangement;
- Medication or alcohol;
- Deteriorating physiological function, for example in shock/systemic inflammatory response syndrome.
Temperatures below 35°C, or a trend of decrease towards this level should prompt appropriate reporting, in line with any early warning scoring systems.
Hyperthermia (a temperature above 37.5°C) occurs as a result of a resetting of the temperature set point, usually as a result of cellular ingestion of bacteria. The biggest cause of hyperthermia is infection. Other causes may include:
- Medication;
- Central nervous system insult;
- Systemic inflammatory response syndrome.
Temperatures above 37.4°C, or a trend of temperature increase towards and above this level should prompt appropriate reporting, in line with any early warning scoring systems.
How often?
The patient's condition and reason for recording the temperature will give an indication of how frequently it should be recorded. A one-off recording has little value; a series of recordings will give a trend of the patient's temperature.
Safety
- Wash hands before and after taking the temperature to avoid cross-infection.
- Use an alternative to glass mercury thermometers.
- The recording of the oral temperature should only be carried out on conscious patients.
- Accuracy in recording the temperature is vital, an incorrect reading could reflect on the treatment given
- Avoid recording a patient's temperature when you know that environmental factors may influence the reading - for example if a fan is blowing near the patient's ear, patient lying on ear, and after a hot or cold drink (if temperature taken orally).
