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True or false a sphygmomanometer is used to take the apical pulse?
False, because the apical pulse is the heartbeat and is heard with a stethoscope. The sphygmomanometer is used to take the pulse on the arm.
Why need to take apical pulse in women under tha breasth?
Yes. Under the left breast.
What vitals does a nurse check before administering digoxin?
You need to measure dig levels from labs, BP, o2 sat, and pulse wouln't hurt either. Ayraayra: The most important thing to measure when administering digoxin is heart rate. You want to count the apical for a full minute. They drilled this into us at school. The heart rate has to be at least 60 beats per minute or you hold the medication. Digoxin works by increasing the force and velocity of heart contractions. You check apical pulse for 1 minute, if less that 60bpm you hold it wait five minutes and check again if it is still less that 60bpm you notify the physician. Monitor for signs of 'dig' toxicity like: - Confusion, irregular pulse, Loss of appetite; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, palpitations, halos around objects. Decreased urine output.
Apical heart rate?
The apical pulse is taken when the patient is lying or sitting. A stethoscope is used to listen to the heart and placed at the 5th intercostal space (between ribs on left side of body). The beats are counted for a full minute and recorded. A radial pulse is taken by feeling (palpating) for the pulse on either wrist, just below the thumb (in the soft spot). The beats are counted for 30 seconds, then doubled. If the beats are irregular, they are counted for 60 seconds. The pulse is recorded as beats per minute: BPM An apical-radial pulse is when two nurses record each at the same time. The difference is called the "pulse deficit."
What equipment is needed to take an apical pulse?
To FEEL for the apical pulse, the "equipment" required is either the fingers and or palm of the hand and a stopwatch or watch with a second hand to count the apical rate. The cardiac apical impulse or point of maximum impulse (PMI) is located along the mid-claviclar line approx. 7-9 cm (about 3") left of the sternum within the 5th intercostal rib cage space just under the left breast. As for LISTENING to the apical pulse, one needs to emply the use of a stethoscope in order to auscultate the heart beat. The chestpiece of the stethoscope should be applied to the bare skin directly upon the PMI where heart sounds are the loudest.
