Physiological Measurements Essay Example

is measured at beats per minute. To check for normal pulse rate it is measured while resting to get an accurate reading. The normal pulse rate in an adult is 60-80 beats per minute. Factors affecting pulse rates – raising or lowering: Pulse rate varies from minute to minute due to many factors. Exercise, fever stress, weight, temperature and medication affect the pulse rate. Other factors such as smoking and drinking caffeine also have an effect on pulse rate.

Pulse sites on the body: Carotid (neck), radial (wrist), brachial (bicep), dorsalis peds (ankle), posterior tibial (ankle), femoral (thigh). The requirement for pulse oximetry measurements: this measures the percentage of haemoglobin which is saturated with oxygen. It is used to monitor patients with cardiac and respiratory disease Analysis and implication of pulse oximetry findings: this passes red and infrared waves through the skin to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood.

Oximetry findings should be accompanied by the percentage of oxygen a person is breathing and their respiratory rate an example reading is SpO2 90%. In a healthy person the oximetry reading should be 95 – 99%. If it is below 90% it may be because of excessive bleeding, smoking or lung disease. Very slow pulse rate is called bradycardia, it can be caused by heart disease, low blood pressure and kidney failure. A very high pulse is called tachycardia this can be due to rigorous exercise, anxiety and excessive bleeding.