Test Prep Resources for the CNA

What is a Pulse? A pulse is the arterial palpation of a heartbeat. In the average adult, the heart beats between 60-100 a minute, though the resting rate can vary from person to person. In a healthy individual, the rate is lower at rest and higher when the body is engaged in physical activity. A pulse slower than 60 beats per minute is called bradycardia. A pulse faster than 100 beats per minute is called tachycardia. To take a pulse, use your index and medial finger and count the number of palpitations you feel for a full minute. You can also count the beats for 30 seconds and multiply...