[GNL685]

Hi! I am taking a clinical health class to become a medical assistant and we are learning blood pressures and pulses. We have to do everyone in the whole class. Not one person can find ANY of my pulses. Only the instructor can find it and she says its very very faint. I asked her if it was because I'm anemic and she said it has nothing to do with that. Also on my wrist, instead of my pulse being on my thumb side (noone can find it there) we can feel it faintly but a little bit stronger near my pinky. The instructor said that near my thumb is stronger and that we are crazy if we think it's stronger near my pinky. Gaaah! How come everyone else's pulse is so strong and no one can find ANY of mine?:confused:

[Justwantfair]

My pulse is faint and difficult to find, it's more rare, but it's not uncommon.

In my CNA class, the instructor was the only one who could take my pulse.

It's not a health concern though.

[GNL685]

Oooh OK because I'm the only one in the whole class lol. My teacher is an EMT so OBVIOUSLY she can find it easier than the students. She still thinks we're crazy lol for finding my pulse near my pinky but HEY at least it's there! I was just wondering if there was a reason. When I get my blood taken they always have trouble finding a good vein and have to use a butterfly. And also when I get IVs they have to put them in the vein near my thumb on the side of my hand.

[J_9]

Sometimes finding a pulse in some people is tough. I use this rule of thumb... thumb literally. Take your finger and guide down your thumb around the curvature of the palm of your hand. In between the outer edge of your thumb and the small bones in the middle is where you will find your pulse. Now, sometimes you have to press harder in some people than others to find the pulse, but this is where it should be.

[J_9]

Oh, yeah, and always use your first and second fingers, never your thumb because your thumb actually has a pulse in it. So, if you are using your thumb you will get a false pulse pressure.