pulse
Medical term Patient Intake and Vitals
The rhythmic expansion of an artery with each heartbeat, used to count heart rate.
Sources
Related terms
- arteryOne of the strong, elastic vessels that take blood from the heart out toward the tissues; blood pressure is…
- Korotkoff soundsThe tapping sounds heard through the stethoscope while the cuff deflates; the first sound is the systolic…
- objective dataInformation that can be observed or measured, such as vital signs and test results.
- orthostatic hypotensionA drop in blood pressure when the patient moves from lying or sitting to standing, which can cause dizziness.
- painAn unpleasant sensation that usually signals injury or illness.
- pulse oximeterA device that measures the oxygen saturation of the blood.
- pulse pressureThe difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressures.
- radial pulseThe pulse felt at the wrist on the thumb side; the most common site for routine pulse checks.
- respirationOne breath: an inhalation and an exhalation; respirations are counted per minute.