How would you determine the rate of an apical/radial pulse if it is regular?

The most efficient way to determine the rate of a regular apical or radial pulse is to count the beats for a set period and then extrapolate that number to a full minute. Counting for 30 seconds and then multiplying by 2 provides an accurate representation of the heart rate in beats per minute, while also being a quicker method than counting the entire minute.

In a clinical setting, taking the pulse for a shorter time, such as 15 seconds, would require you to multiply by 4, which can lead to rounding errors and inaccuracies, especially if the pulse is at the lower end of normal. Counting for the full 60 seconds is the most accurate method, but it is time-consuming and often unnecessary if a quick assessment is sufficient. Counting for a shorter time frame of 10 seconds and then multiplying that by 6 would also be less reliable for pulse rates that may vary. Therefore, the best choice for efficiency and accuracy is to count for 30 seconds and multiply by 2.