Assessing the Dorsalis Pedis Pulse

Student's Name: ____________________

Grade (circle one):

P = achieved 3 or above in all categories

F = achieved 2 or below in one or more categories

The following scale is utilized:

ACTION S G SA U F

Gather the supplies
5 4 3 2 1

Explain the procedure to the patient
5 4 3 2 1

Wash and dry hands carefully
5 4 3 2 1

Assist the patient in assuming a comfortable position that provides easy access to his/her dorsalis pedis pulse
5 4 3 2 1

Ask the patient to extend his/her right leg along side his/her body with his/her right ankle dorsiflexed (Reverse to palpate the dorsalis pedis pulse of the left leg)
5 4 3 2 1

Place the pads of the index and middle fingers of your right hand over the dorsum of the patient's right foot just lateral to the extensor tendon of his/her right great toe (Reverse to palpate the dorsalis pedis pulse of the left leg)
5 4 3 2 1

Press the pads of the index and middle fingers of your right hand lightly over the dorsum of the patient's right foot just lateral to the extensor tendon of his/her right great toe (Reverse to palpate the dorsalis pedis pulse of the left leg)
5 4 3 2 1

Using a watch with a second hand, count the rate of the dorsalis pedis pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by two
5 4 3 2 1

Using a watch with a second hand, count the rate of the dorsalis pedis pulse for one minute, if it is irregular
5 4 3 2 1

Assess the regularity of the dorsalis pedis pulse
5 4 3 2 1

Assess the strength of the dorsalis pedis pulse
5 4 3 2 1

Record the dorsalis pedis pulse rate, regularity, and strength per agency policy
5 4 3 2 1

Wash and dry hands carefully
5 4 3 2 1

Comments:

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ACTION	S	G	SA	U	F
Gather the supplies	5	4	3	2	1
Explain the procedure to the patient	5	4	3	2	1
Wash and dry hands carefully	5	4	3	2	1
Assist the patient in assuming a comfortable position that provides easy access to his/her dorsalis pedis pulse	5	4	3	2	1
Ask the patient to extend his/her right leg along side his/her body with his/her right ankle dorsiflexed (Reverse to palpate the dorsalis pedis pulse of the left leg)	5	4	3	2	1
Place the pads of the index and middle fingers of your right hand over the dorsum of the patient's right foot just lateral to the extensor tendon of his/her right great toe (Reverse to palpate the dorsalis pedis pulse of the left leg)	5	4	3	2	1
Press the pads of the index and middle fingers of your right hand lightly over the dorsum of the patient's right foot just lateral to the extensor tendon of his/her right great toe (Reverse to palpate the dorsalis pedis pulse of the left leg)	5	4	3	2	1
Using a watch with a second hand, count the rate of the dorsalis pedis pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by two	5	4	3	2	1
Using a watch with a second hand, count the rate of the dorsalis pedis pulse for one minute, if it is irregular	5	4	3	2	1
Assess the regularity of the dorsalis pedis pulse	5	4	3	2	1
Assess the strength of the dorsalis pedis pulse	5	4	3	2	1
Record the dorsalis pedis pulse rate, regularity, and strength per agency policy	5	4	3	2	1
Wash and dry hands carefully	5	4	3	2	1
Comments:

Nursing Skills Laboratory Procedure