The Study for Apical Pulse Measurement Technique Through Hospitalized Children

입원한 영유아의 심첨 맥박 측정 방법에 관한 연구

The purpose of this study was to determine the most accurate technique measuring the apical pulse rate, using three counting duration 15, 30 and 60 seconds, and two methods start ‘0’ and start ‘1’. The instrument used in the study was the EKG monitor, stethoscope and stopwatch. Data was analyzed by utilizing SPSSWIN program. General characteristics of the subjects were analyzed by frequency, percentile, mean, SD. The subject of this research is made up of 46 children and 20 nurses. The children were infants, & under the age of 5. They were hospitalised in PICU & NICU in 2 tertiary hospitals in seoul from Jan. 1. 1998 to Sep. 10. 1998. The measurement of starting 1 & measurement of starting ‘0’ used the T-test to find out the measurement error. Apical pulse duration of 15, 30, 60 seconds were used to find out measurement error, the measurement error depend on experience of Nurse were analyzed by using ANOVA. The result of this study are as follows. 1. When comparing the starting poin of apical pulse 0&1, starting with 1 the measurement error is less, but not statiscally significant. 2. When counting the apical pulse by 15, 30,60 sec. ; 60 seconds counting duration was more accurate, but not statistically significant. 3. The mean of measure error ; Group under 100/min, is 10.33 ; from 100 re 119/min, is 8.30 ; from 120 to 139/min, is 4.76 ; from 140 to 159/min, is 6.09 ; above 160, is 17.83. The differences of these groups are statistically significant. When 60sec were counted, under 140/min the mean of measurement error is 3.4. Also when 30 seconds were counted from 140/min to 159/min the measurement error is 7.14, above 160/min the measurement error is 16.4. That measurement mean is the smallest than the other durations. During the 15 sec. count the measurement error was the largest of them all. 4. By the experience of the nurses, the apical pulse count measurement error was discovered. Under a year experience this measurement error was the largest(11.09), 1 year to under 3 years, the error is the smallest(4.86). 3 year to under 6 years the error is 8.33, 5 years above the error is 6.11 but this is not statistical significant. Under a year experience when counting 15, 30, 60 seconds the error is the largest. The group of the nurses from a year to under 3 years, the measurement error is the smallest of all the groups. The result of the study is to determine the technique measuring the apical pulse rate, Hargest (1974), starting point ‘0’ is not proved. When the pulse rate increases the 30 sec measurement rate is accurate. Under 140/min the 60 sec measurement rate is the most accurate. Depending on the nurses experiences, there is a variable difference to the apical pulse rate measurement. Especially new nurses training courses should enforce the children’s pulse rate count and the basic vital signs.