Title: Measure and record pulse (apical and radial) for one minute, as required by Virginia Board of Nursing regulation.
Course: Nurse Aide II Condensed (14051-II-A) > Section: Developing Basic Nursing Skills

Measuring and recording should be performed according to the procedure outlined in Skill 6 of the Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook (https://home.pearsonvue.com/getattachment/50009e72-ec19-410e-9148-2e8974e3f8c8/Virginia%20Nurse%20Aide%20Candidate%20Handbook-075300.aspx).

Refer to Units VI and VII in Nurse Aide Curriculum (https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/media/dhpweb/docs/nursing/forms/education/NurseAide_Ed_Program_Curriculum.doc), Virginia Board of Nursing, Virginia Department of Health Professions, 2018.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are the definitions of apical pulse and radial pulse?
- What are the normal ranges for pulse?
- What factors influence pulse?
- What are the proper techniques for taking a pulse?
- What circumstances alert the CNA to the need to immediately report vital signs?
- What are the primary pulse sites?