If a pulse is irregular, how would you determine the rate?

When assessing an irregular pulse, counting for one full minute offers the most reliable way to determine the heart rate accurately. An irregular pulse means the heart beats are not evenly spaced; thus, shorter counting intervals, such as 15 or 30 seconds, could lead to misrepresentation of the pulse rate since they only capture a portion of the variability within the rhythm.

Counting for one full minute ensures that each heartbeat, regardless of its timing, is taken into account, providing an accurate representation of the overall heart rate. This approach is especially important in clinical settings, where precise measurements are crucial for patient assessment and care decisions. Monitoring technology can also be valuable, but physically counting the beats for a full minute is a thorough method that directly captures the irregularity in rhythm.