Intended for healthcare professionals
RCNi interactive learning

Practical skills

How to check the arterial pulse

Author: Christopher Nicholson

Duration: 1 hour Last updated: 2020 Quality Assurance: Peer-reviewed Level: Qualified nurses, Students Language: English

Course description

Update your knowledge and skills in how to check an arterial pulse.


Learning aims and intended outcomes

After reading this module, you should be able to:

  • Describe the arterial pulse
  • Identify the requirements and measures to be taken before and after checking the arterial pulse
  • Name the common sites for palpating the pulse
  • Describe methods to obtain a pulse rate
  • Identify the information obtained in the assessment of the pulse

Syllabus

  • What do you know?
  • Preparation and equipment
  • Procedure
  • Evidence base
  • What have you learned?
  • Reflective practice

Author

CN
Christopher Nicholson
Lead clinician, Cardiac and Respiratory Service, Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, Preston, England.

Disclaimer

Please note that information provided by RCNi Learning is not sufficient to ensure competence in the skill. Assessment of competence should take place in line with local practice. Practice should always align with local protocols and procedures, latest guidelines and any regulatory code. All modules should currently be viewed together with available national and local Covid-19 guidelines. For advice, go to www.rcn.org.uk/covid-19

Syllabus

  • What do you know?
  • Preparation and equipment
  • Procedure
  • Evidence base
  • What have you learned?
  • Reflective practice

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