Final answer:
Pedal pulses should be checked immediately after a cardiac catheterization and then at set intervals recommended by medical protocols. A pulse is the expansion and recoil of an artery during the cardiac cycle, and when measuring pulse rates, a 10-second count should be multiplied by 6 to estimate the rate per minute.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the protocol for checking pedal pulses following a cardiac catheterization procedure. After such a procedure, it is important to monitor the pedal pulses to ensure adequate blood flow to the extremities and to watch for complications such as arterial occlusion or a hematoma which can impede blood flow. Typically, pedal pulses should be checked immediately after the procedure and then periodically at intervals as advised by medical protocols or a healthcare provider. The frequency can depend on the type of procedure, patient risk factors, and institutional policies, but checks might be scheduled for every 15 minutes initially, then reducing to every 30 minutes, and eventually to every hour as the patient stabilizes.
When you feel your pulse, you are feeling the expansions and recoiling of an artery as the heart pumps blood through it. This pulsating sensation is a manifestation of the cardiac cycle, specifically the movement of blood during atrial systole and ventricular diastole. When measuring pulse rate for 10 seconds and then for 1 minute, the number should multiply by approximately 6 if the heart rate is consistent, as there are 60 seconds in a minute.