In assessing a child's pulse, what is an important characteristic to remember?

When assessing a child's pulse, it is crucial to remember that infants and children typically have faster heart rates than adults. This physiological difference is due to various factors including metabolic rate, body size, and developmental stage.

In general, an infant's resting heart rate is between 100-160 beats per minute, which is significantly higher than the average adult heart rate of 60-100 beats per minute. As children grow, their heart rates gradually decrease but remain higher than those of adults well into childhood. Understanding this distinction is critical for emergency responders, as it allows them to accurately assess a child's heart rate and determine if it falls within a normal range for their age. This knowledge can significantly affect the evaluation of a child's overall health and any medical interventions that may be required.