What is the Preferred Method for Pulse Check in an Infant?

Pulse Checks are important in assessing the heart rate and overall circulatory status. It helps to guide further medical interventions. Healthcare professionals and caregivers should understand the preferred method of pulse checking, especially in infants. When it comes to providing care for infants in emergency situations, knowing the correct procedures to check an infant’s pulse accurately can make a difference. In this blog, we will provide a comprehensive guide to performing a pulse check in infants.

Why Pulse Checking is Important in Infants

In critically ill or injured infants, quick assessment and timely actions are crucial for improved outcome. Pulse checks help evaluate the heart’s pumping ability and can give early signs of cardiac arrest or other serious conditions. This information is essential for guiding resuscitation and other emergency medical responses. Understanding the importance of pulse checking in infants is vital for healthcare providers for so many reasons:

1. Early Detection of Cardiac Issues

Pulse checks allow healthcare providers to quickly assess the heart rate of infants. Timely detection of pulse rate can provide early indications of cardiac abnormalities or distress. If healthcare providers can find early problems, then prompt interventions can potentially save the lives of an infant.

2. Monitoring Circulatory Status

Pulse checks provide valuable information about the infant’s circulatory status. It indicates whether blood is effectively circulating to vital organs. This assessment is crucial in identifying and addressing issues such as shock or inadequate perfusion.

3. Guiding Resuscitation Efforts

Pulse checks help to guide resuscitation efforts during emergencies like cardiac arrest or respiratory distress. It helps to assess the effectiveness of interventions like CPR. By monitoring the pulse, healthcare providers can determine the successor resuscitation measures and guide further management decisions.

Must Read: Proper Procedure for Delivering Rescue Breaths to an 8-year-Old Child

4. Assessing Response to Treatment

During treatment, pulse checks help healthcare providers monitor the infant’s response to interventions. Changes in pulse rate or quality can indicate whether the infant’s condition is improving or worsening. The response of an infant to CPR can guide ongoing care.

5. Ensuring Adequate Oxygenation

Adequate blood flow and oxygen delivery are essential for infant survival and well-being. Pulse checks help ensure that the infant’s heart is pumping effectively, delivering oxygen-rich blood to vital organs such as the brain and kidneys.

6. Early Identification of Critical Situations

Regular pulse checks enable healthcare providers to identify critical situations promptly, such as bradycardia, tachycardia, or cardiac arrest. Early recognition of these conditions allows for immediate intervention, potentially preventing further deterioration.

The Preferred Method for Checking Pulse in Infants: Brachial Pulse Check

The brachial pulse is the preferred method for checking the pulse in an infant. The brachial artery is located on the inside of the upper arm, between the elbow and the shoulder. This method is particularly useful in infants as other pulse points can be difficult to locate and may not give as clear a reading. Proper technique is essential to ensure accurate assessment and to avoid any discomfort to the infant.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to performing a brachial pulse check:

Step 1: Position the Infant

You need to lay the infant on its back on a firm, flat surface, such as a changing table or examination bed.

Step 2: Locate the Brachial Artery

Then, extend the infant’s arm straight out along the side, ensuring it is relaxed. Using your index and middle fingers, gently feel the inside of the upper arm between the elbow and shoulder. This is where the brachial artery is located.

Step 3: Apply Gentle Pressure

Once you have located the area where the brachial artery is felt most strongly, apply gentle pressure with your fingers. Try not to press too hard, as this may occlude the artery and make it more difficult to feel the pulse.

Step 4: Assess the Pulse

Now, feel for the pulsations of the brachial artery beneath your fingertips. If the artery is easy to find, you should feel a rhythmic pulsing. Pay attention to the strength and regularity of the pulse.

Step 5: Count the Beats

While maintaining pressure on the artery, count the number of beats you feel over 15 seconds. Multiply this number by four to calculate the infant’s heart rate in beats per minute (bpm).

Step 6: Note the Findings

Do record the heart rate and any additional observations, such as rhythm abnormalities or changes in pulse strength.

Step 7: Repeat if Necessary

If you are unsure of your initial findings or need to confirm the pulse rate, repeat the process on the opposite arm or at the same site.
If no pulse is felt within 10 seconds, or the pulse is less than 60 beats per minute with signs of poor perfusion, start CPR.

Why the Brachial Pulse?

The Brachial Pulse is an optimal choice for quick and reliable pulse checks in various medical situations. This method is preferred in infants for several reasons:

Accessibility

The brachial artery is easily accessible in infants. It is located on the inside of the upper arm between the elbow and shoulder. This makes it easy to locate and feel, even in emergencies.

Reliability

The pulse in the brachial artery is typically strong and detectable, providing a reliable measure of the infant’s heart rate. This reliability is crucial in emergencies where quick and accurate assessment is needed.

Minimal Obstruction

There is less muscle and fat tissue overlying the brachial artery in infants compared to other pulse sites. So the obstruction is minimum and it is easier to feel and assess the pulse. This clear access is especially important in high-pressure situations.

Standardization in Training

Using the brachial pulse for infant pulse checks is a standardized method taught in CPR and PALS courses. This consistency in training ensures that healthcare providers and rescuers are proficient in a universally accepted technique. It enhances the effectiveness of resuscitation efforts.

Alternative Sites

While the brachial pulse is the preferred site for checking pulses in infants, there are alternative locations also where you can check a pulse if necessary:

Femoral Pulse: It is located in the groin area, where the thigh meets the pelvis. This site is also reliable but can be more challenging to access quickly.

Apical Pulse: This involves listening to the heart with a stethoscope placed on the chest, directly over the heart. It is less commonly used in emergency settings due to the need for a stethoscope and the time it takes to accurately assess.

Tips for Accurate Pulse Checking

When it comes to performing CPR on infants, checking the pulse accurately is a critical step. In high-pressure situations where every second counts, the ability to quickly and correctly assess the infant’s pulse can significantly impact the effectiveness of your resuscitation efforts and overall patient outcomes. Here are some essential tips to ensure you perform pulse checks accurately:

Stay Calm: You need to stay calm in such emergencies. Staying calm will help you perform the pulse check more accurately.

Practice: You need to regularly practice locating and palpating the brachial pulse on healthy infants to build confidence and proficiency.

Use Proper Technique: Be sure of the techniques you are using. Make sure you use the pads of your index and middle fingers, and avoid using your thumb.

Conclusion

Knowing how to accurately check an infant’s pulse is critical for healthcare providers and caregivers. The brachial pulse is the preferred method for pulse checking in an infant due to its accessibility and reliability. By using this technique, you can ensure prompt and accurate assessments that are vital in emergency care. Whether you are a healthcare provider working in pediatric care or a new parent, understanding and practicing the correct method for pulse checking in infants is an invaluable skill that can make a significant difference in critical moments.

If you wish you gain skills on checking pulse in infants and managing pediatric emergencies then, join comprehensive training in PALS at Heart Start CPR in the San Francisco Bay Area. With expert instructors and state-of-the-art training facilities, you will gain the knowledge to perform high-quality CPR and advanced pediatric life support, enhancing your ability to save lives.