Final answer:
To measure an apical pulse, a stethoscope is the required tool, placing it on the chest where the heartbeat is most clearly heard.
Step-by-step explanation:
To measure an apical pulse, the standard tool required is a stethoscope. The apical pulse is typically taken by listening directly over the apex of the heart, where the heartbeat can be heard most clearly. This is done as part of a cardiovascular assessment, which may also include checking other pulse sites and blood pressure. While pulse can also be palpated at various points such as the radial or carotid arteries, the apical pulse provides a direct measurement of heartbeats, important for identifying rhythm disturbances or other cardiac conditions.
The procedure to measure the apical pulse includes placing the stethoscope on the chest at the location of the heart and listening to the beats per minute. It is commonly used alongside other monitoring equipment in hospitals and clinics, such as electronic devices for measuring pulse and automated blood pressure machines.