Normal Pulse Rate For Adult, Adolescent, Infant, Toddler, and Newborn

nursinginfo.com.ng

February 16, 2024

Characteristics of Pulse

Pulse rate: This is the number of pulsations per minute.
Rhythm/regularity: This is the Rhythm of pulse rate refers to the regularity to which pulse waves occur.
Quality of pulse: This is the strength of the palpated pulse pulsation.
Volume/Strength: This refers to the fullness of the pulse wave palpated in the artery.
Condition of the artery: This is the compliance of the arteries.

To know the measurement of both the heart rate and rhythm.
To know the response of the heart to cardiac medication, activity, and gas exchange.
To know the response of patients to any related medication.

Age: As you increase in age, the pulse rate also decreases. Take, for instance, a newborn heart rate is always higher than an adult’s heart rate. This is because their body tends to generate and circulate enough heat round their body so as to maintain their body temperature and avoid hypothermia since their thermoregulatory center is immature.
Anxiety: This brings about a physiological process that tends to increase your heart rate, as well as pulse rate.
Exercise: As you exercise your body, there is an increase in the pumping action of the heart which as a result increases your pulse rate.
Fever: Fever resulting from any illness has a way of increasing the pulse rate.
Fear and Pain: As one becomes afraid, the adrenaline is released to prepare the body for a fight or flight action.
Foodstuff: Some foodstuffs such as caffeinated beverages tend to induce the sympathetic nervous system thereby releasing mediators and hormones, which increase heart rate and pulse rate.
Medication: Some drugs like digoxin decrease heart pumping action.
Anemia

Wash your hands with soap and water
Greet the patient
Inform your patient about what you are to do.
Tell him/her about the procedure and make him/her feel relaxed.
Position his/her hand in a comfortable position.
Hold your patient’s wrist using the right hand against the right hand.
Place the index, and middle fingers over the artery and count the number of pulsations for 60 seconds.
Note down your findings accurately.
Disclose and interpret your findings to your patient and give further advice.

New Born —— 70-190 bpm(beat/minutes)

Infant—— 80-160 bpm

Toddler——- 80-130 bpm

Preschool ——— 80-120 bpm

School-age——— 75-110 bpm

Adolescent ——— 60-90 bpm

Adult ——— 60- 100 bpm

Older adult ——— 60 – 100 bpm