The Big Picture
Your pulse is the heartbeat you feel where an artery lies close enough to the surface. You assess more than the number of beats. You also pay attention to the pulse pattern and strength.
A pulse oximeter gives two readings. It measures pulse rate and the percentage of oxygen saturation in the blood.
The procedures focus on accurate measurement, knowing the client’s normal pulse range, and reporting specified abnormal readings.
Look for Nova Scotia CCA Notes throughout this page for current provincial guidance.
Quick tip: Tap, click, or press Enter on any term with a dotted underline and an ⓘ icon to see its plain-English definition.
Start Here If You’re Overwhelmed
Focus on these core ideas:
- Pulse rate means the number of heartbeats or pulses felt in 1 minute.
- A normal adult pulse range is 60 to 100 beats per minute.
- An irregular pulse requires a full 60-second count.
- Pulse force describes how strong or weak the pulse feels.
- A pulse oximeter measures pulse rate and oxygen saturation, called SpO₂.
- Report an oxygen saturation reading below 95% to the supervisor.
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Course Notes: Key Ideas You Need to Know
What Is a Pulse?
A pulse is the beat of the heart felt at an artery as blood moves through it. You feel a pulse each time the heart beats.
You feel pulses more easily at certain body sites because the arteries lie close to the surface and over a bone.
Pulse sites include:
- temporal
- carotid
- brachial
- radial
- femoral
- popliteal
- dorsalis pedis, also called pedal
- posterior tibial
These pulse sites occur on both sides of the body.
The Radial Pulse
Support workers often use the radial pulse for routine pulse measurement. You find it on the thumb side of the wrist.
The radial site is easy to reach and find. You also measure it without unnecessarily disturbing or exposing the client.
During emergencies:
- the carotid pulse is used for adults and children
- the brachial or apical pulse is used for infants
Pulse Rate
Pulse rate means the number of heartbeats or pulses felt in 1 minute.
When you take the pulse of a client you are unfamiliar with, always count for a full minute.
Pulse rates differ by age.
| Age | Pulse rate |
|---|---|
| Infant | 120 to 160 beats per minute |
| Toddler | 90 to 140 beats per minute |
| Preschooler | 80 to 110 beats per minute |
| School-aged child | 75 to 100 beats per minute |
| Adolescent | 60 to 100 beats per minute |
| Adult | 60 to 100 beats per minute |
A pulse below the low end or above the high end of the expected range is abnormal.
What Affects Pulse Rate?
Several factors affect pulse rate:
- elevated body temperature from fever or a hot environment
- exercise
- pain
- respiratory effort
- position changes
- caffeine
- emotions
- medications
Pulse rate temporarily rises when a client sits or stands after lying down.
Emotions that affect pulse include excitement, fear, anger, and anxiety. Medications might speed up or slow down the pulse.
Pulse Rhythm
Pulse rhythm describes the pattern of the beats.
A regular pulse has an even pattern. You feel the same interval between beats.
Dysrhythmia means an irregular pulse rhythm. The beats might have uneven spacing or skipped beats.
An irregular pulse also varies in pattern or depth from beat to beat.
Report: An abnormal rhythm must be reported at once.
When a pulse is irregular, count it for a full 60 seconds. Record and report that the pulse was irregular.
Tachycardia and Bradycardia
Two important terms describe abnormal heart rates.
Tachycardia means a rapid heart rate. In an adult, a rate over 100 beats per minute is tachycardia.
Bradycardia means a slow heart rate. In an adult, a rate below 60 beats per minute is bradycardia.
You need to know the client’s normal pulse range. Immediately report a pulse that is higher or lower than normal for that client or has an irregular rhythm.
Pulse Force
Pulse force means the strength of the pulse.
A pulse that feels easy to detect might be described as:
- strong
- full
- bounding
A pulse that feels difficult to detect might be described as:
- weak
- thready
- feeble
Electronic blood pressure equipment also shows pulse rate. It does not tell you the pulse rhythm or force.
You determine rhythm and force by feeling the pulse.
What Is a Pulse Oximeter?
A pulse oximeter measures two things:
- pulse rate
- oxygen level in the blood
The device clips onto the client’s index finger. It shines a light through the skin toward the blood vessels below.
The oxygen reading appears as a percentage called SpO₂, or peripheral capillary oxygen saturation.
A reading of 100% means the red blood cells visible to the pulse oximeter’s light are fully loaded with oxygen from the lungs.
Taking a Radial Pulse
When taking the radial pulse, promote the client’s:
- dignity
- independence
- individualized care
- preferences
- privacy
- safety
Pre-Procedure
- Identify the client according to employer policy .
- Explain the procedure to the client.
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Provide privacy.
Procedure
- Have the client sit or lie down.
Standing makes the heart work a little harder.
- Place your first two or three middle fingers over the radial artery on the thumb side of the client’s wrist.
Do not use your thumb to locate the pulse. Your thumb has its own pulse, which might be mistaken for the client’s pulse.
- Use a watch or clock with a second hand. Count the beats for 30 seconds, then multiply the number by two.
Count for 1 minute instead when employer policy requires it.
- Count for a full 1 minute when the pulse is irregular.
A full-minute count gives a more accurate reading for an irregular pulse.
- Write the client’s name and pulse rate on your notepad or assignment sheet. Also note the pulse strength and whether the rhythm was regular or irregular.
Recording these details helps you report accurate information later.
Post-Procedure
- Provide for the client’s safety and comfort.
- Place the call bell within reach.
- Remove privacy measures when used.
- Perform hand hygiene.
The call bell step might not apply in community settings.
Reporting and Recording the Radial Pulse
According to employer policy, report and record:
- pulse rate in beats per minute
- pulse force
- pulse rhythm
- time of day
- observations
- basic assessments
For pulse force, record the supported description, such as strong, full, bounding, weak, thready, or feeble.
For rhythm, record whether the pulse was regular or irregular.
Report immediately: Tell the supervisor when an adult client’s pulse is below 60 or above 100 beats per minute. Also report a pulse that is higher or lower than normal for that client.
Actions, observations, and basic assessments are recorded and reported for legal reasons and to keep the health care team informed.
Measuring Pulse and Oxygen Saturation With a Pulse Oximeter
During this procedure, continue to promote dignity, independence, individualized care, preferences, privacy, and safety.
Pre-Procedure
- Identify the client according to employer policy.
- Explain the procedure.
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Provide privacy.
- Make sure the client has no nail polish or acrylic nail enhancements.
Nail polish and acrylic nail enhancements might cause inaccurate readings.
Procedure
- Have the client sit or lie down.
Standing makes the heart work a little harder.
- Turn on the pulse oximeter. Clip it over the client’s index finger. Centre the sensor over the fingernail.
Avoid: Do not place the pulse oximeter on the client’s thumbnail. Readings from that digit are less reliable.
- Observe both readings:
- pulse rate in beats per minute, or bpm
- oxygen level as a percentage
Post-Procedure
- Provide for the client’s safety and comfort.
- Place the call bell within reach.
- Remove privacy measures when used.
- Perform hand hygiene.
The call bell step might not apply in community settings.
Reporting and Recording Pulse Oximeter Readings
According to employer policy, report and record:
- pulse rate
- oxygen saturation reading
- time of day
- observations
- basic assessments
You need to know the client’s normal pulse rate. Report a higher or lower pulse rate immediately.
Report: Any oxygen saturation reading below 95% must be reported to the supervisor.
Nova Scotia CCA Note
Sorrentino’s Canadian Textbook for the Support Worker, 5th Edition gives specific reporting points on this page, including an adult pulse below 60 or above 100 beats per minute and an oxygen saturation reading below 95%. Current Nova Scotia standards place pulse and oxygen levels under a CCA’s Measuring Vitals role. A CCA measures vital signs, collects data, documents, and follows escalation and reporting indicators identified by a regulated healthcare professional. (novascotiacca.ca)
Nova Scotia also describes the CCA’s assessment role as an observational point-of-care assessment. This does not permit the CCA to perform the comprehensive assessment used to analyze information and make care-planning decisions. In Nova Scotia practice, Sorrentino’s numbers remain important study information, while the CCA also follows the person’s documented care plan, employer procedures, and specified reporting instructions. (novascotiacca.ca)
Why this matters in Nova Scotia: The word “assessment” does not give a CCA authority to perform a comprehensive nursing assessment, and reporting in practice must also follow the person-specific instructions provided for care.
Official source: Continuing Care Assistant Occupational Standards of Practice
Last checked: September 16, 2026
Exam Clue Words
- Always: Take the pulse for a full minute when measuring a client you are unfamiliar with.
- Report: Report an abnormal pulse rhythm at once.
- Report: Immediately report an adult pulse below 60 or above 100 beats per minute, or a rate outside that client’s normal range.
- Avoid: Do not use your thumb to find the client’s radial pulse.
- Report: Tell the supervisor about any oxygen saturation reading below 95%.
Fast Review
Focus on these facts when you need a fast review:
- Pulse is the heartbeat felt at an artery as blood moves through it.
- Pulse rate is the number of heartbeats or pulses felt in 1 minute.
- The normal adult pulse range is 60 to 100 beats per minute.
- Tachycardia means an adult heart rate above 100 beats per minute.
- Bradycardia means an adult heart rate below 60 beats per minute.
- Dysrhythmia means an irregular pulse rhythm with uneven or skipped beats.
- Count an irregular pulse for a full 60 seconds.
- Pulse force might feel strong, full, bounding, weak, thready, or feeble.
- A pulse oximeter measures pulse rate and SpO₂.
- Remove nail polish or acrylic nail enhancements before using the pulse oximeter because they might affect accuracy.
- Place the pulse oximeter on the index finger, not the thumbnail.
- Report any oxygen saturation reading below 95% to the supervisor.
Final Pep Talk
There are several numbers, terms, and procedure steps in this topic, so review them in small groups. Focus first on the adult pulse range, the full-minute rule for irregular pulses, the reporting points, and the order of each procedure.