What is needed to assess an apical pulse?

To assess an apical pulse accurately, a stethoscope is essential. The apical pulse is the heartbeat as heard through a stethoscope placed over the apex of the heart, typically located at the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line. Using a stethoscope allows the nurse aide to listen for the sounds produced by the heart as it beats, providing an exact measurement of the heart rate.

In contrast, the other options serve different purposes that do not apply to assessing the apical pulse. A thermometer is used to measure body temperature, while a sphygmomanometer is designed to measure blood pressure. A pulse oximeter measures the oxygen saturation level in the blood. Therefore, while all these tools are valuable in clinical settings, only the stethoscope is relevant for evaluating the apical pulse.