Published Oct 6, 2008
blynn9173
303 Posts
Hello All,
Does any one know of a mnemonic for the pulse sites. I have looked on the internet and I didn't see one. Thanks.:)
sissyboo
162 Posts
I don't know a mnemonic for it...I just work head to toe! A little A&P goes a long way for me!
Bobylon
232 Posts
^^^^^^ Ditto that ^^^^^^^
pinkiepie_RN
998 Posts
Hello All,Does any one know of a mnemonic for the pulse sites. I have looked on the internet and I didn't see one. Thanks.:)
Well I know "APE to MAN" for the heart sounds, if that helps. Aortic, pulmonary, Erb's point, Tricuspid, Mitral.
tlc2u
226 Posts
I don't know any mnemonics for this but maybe just practice finding your own pulses (work from head to toe like sissyboo suggested and think of ways you can remember the names and locations.)
I suspect you know much of this info but maybe it will help to see it in a list.
Here is a link to a body pic of the pulses--cut and paste this web address into your address bar and you can see the picture.
http://www.waybuilder.net/sweethaven/MedTech/Vitals/531_0302.jpg
From head to toe
Temporal - side of the skull at the temples
Carotid pulse (carotid artery either side of the adam's apple in the neck - do not press on or occlude right and left carotids at the same time this can reduce or cut off blood flow to the brain)
Brachial - At the bend of your elbow. (Where your arm brakes-brachial)
Radial - at the wrist above the thumb
Ulnar- at the wrist above the pinky or little finger.
Popliteal - behind the knee ( I have a dog - a little Yorkie - and she has patella luxation which means her knee pops out of joint. For me I can think of that to remember popliteal is behind the knee. Or visualize the blood vessel bulging or popping out behind the knee.
Pedal pulse - Think of this as the pulses on the top of the feet. We use our feet to pedal a bicycle this can help remember pedal pulses. I know it is pronounced with a long E like peedal but it is spelled the same as the pedal on a bike.
Posterior tibialis pulse - my daughter was born with a clubfoot requiring many corrective surgeries. One of her surgeries was a tibialis tendon transfer. This one is very easy for me to remember.
~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN
5,259 Posts
We learned All Physicians Earn To Much for heart sounds.