Rate
How many beats occur in one minute. The expected rate changes with age, exercise, illness, medications, and conditioning.
Start here
A pulse is more than a number
A complete pulse assessment includes rate, rhythm, strength, and equality. Then you connect those findings to skin signs, mental status, breathing, blood pressure, symptoms, and the overall patient.
60–100normal resting adult rate
<60adult bradycardia term
>100adult tachycardia term
60 seccount when irregular
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What do you want to learn first?
Pick a goal above
You will get the best page to start with and a direct path to practice.
Four pulse qualities
What are you actually assessing?
Rhythm
Are the beats evenly spaced, mostly regular, or irregular? An irregular pulse should be counted for a full minute.
Strength
Does the pulse feel absent, weak/thready, normal, strong, or bounding? Strength gives clues about perfusion and stroke volume.
Equality
Do matching pulse sites feel the same on both sides? Unequal peripheral pulses can be clinically important.
Interactive pages
Build pulse assessment one skill at a time
Learn the concepts before the activities ask you to use them.
Normal & Abnormal
Use an age-based pulse checker, learn why pulse rates change, and complete a knowledge check.
Explore pulse ratesPulse Skills Lab
See pulse sites, practice the assessment order, and use the tap-to-measure activity.
Open skills labSigns & Treatment
Review fast, slow, weak, bounding, and irregular pulse concerns with scenarios.
Open signs & treatmentPractice links
Use the tools you already built
Pulse Trainer
Count an animated pulse and calculate the pulse rate.
Launch Pulse TrainerPulse Oximeter Simulator
Compare pulse rate with SpO₂ readings and patient context.
Open pulse oxFull Vital Signs Practice
Document pulse along with blood pressure, respirations, skin, pupils, glucose, and mental status.
Open full vitalsRemember: A heart rate can be normal while the rhythm or pulse quality is abnormal. Always assess the whole pulse and the whole patient.