Apical Pulse Rate

Do you use place your hand at the left 5th intercostal space midclavicular ( using the watch) or do you use the stethoscope and using the watch to take the apical pulse rate? I have seen some nurses use the sterthoscope and others their hand, which one is better? ( ex. giving digoxin)
Might be a very dumb question but I am curious
I was taught in school to use the stethoscope. I've never seen this "hand" method you are discussing done either by an instructor or in practice.Now I work in the ICU, and we have heart monitors.

anyone please correct me if I am wrong, to find the MPI - that's where you need to know where to find it (which is the 5th ICS at left Midclavicular line).... Otherwise i've known (and am guilty) of it myself, to listen to the heart (approx at 5th ICS) and count that as my apical...

with my stethoscope......

Quote from missbecky2006I was taught in school to use the stethoscope. I've never seen this "hand" method you are discussing done either by an instructor or in practice.Now I work in the ICU, and we have heart monitors.

Quote from healthstarReally you never used your hand to take the apical pulse?When I had to give medications to my patient, my instructor told me to use my index, middle and ring finger to take the apical pulse and at the same time she would use the stethoscope and we both got the same rate.I am surprised that you never heard of the hand method but it's okay

I don't trust heart monitors, because one time I had to give blood pressure med and the monitor showed a heart rate of 80 and I used the hand method and my instructor used the stethoscope and we got 57.

Quote from MrsCrypesWow, sounds cool, but i have never heard or seen of the hand method either. would that work in an obese patient?

Quote from healthstarI don't trust heart monitors, because one time I had to give blood pressure med and the monitor showed a heart rate of 80 and I used the hand method and my instructor used the stethoscope and we got 57.

Ever seen PEA? Pulseless patients with a "normal" narrow complex sinus rhythm? Do not trust the monitor for a rate, ever. Electrical activity may have absolutely nothing to do with mechanical activity.

Quote from healthstarReally you never used your hand to take the apical pulse?When I had to give medications to my patient, my instructor told me to use my index, middle and ring finger to take the apical pulse and at the same time she would use the stethoscope and we both got the same rate.I am surprised that you never heard of the hand method but it's okay

Quote from GilaRNEver seen PEA? Pulseless patients with a "normal" narrow complex sinus rhythm? Do not trust the monitor for a rate, ever. Electrical activity may have absolutely nothing to do with mechanical activity.

Quote from GilaRNEver seen PEA? Pulseless patients with a "normal" narrow complex sinus rhythm? Do not trust the monitor for a rate, ever. Electrical activity may have absolutely nothing to do with mechanical activity.