Telehealth

To take your child's pulse, you will need a watch with a second hand or stopwatch app (easier) with the minutes and seconds displayed. Find a quiet place where your child can sit or lie comfortably.

If your child has just been active (running, jumping, crying, etc.), wait at least 5 minutes to allow the heart time to slow down and return to a normal beat.

To feel a pulse, you press two fingers — your index ("pointer") and middle fingers — onto a major artery in the body. Press gently. Never press with your thumb, as it has a pulse all its own and can be mistaken for your child's pulse. When you've located the pulse, you will feel a throbbing sensation.

There are several areas on the body to measure a pulse, but in kids these are generally the easiest places:

• On the neck (carotid artery pulse). Note: Do NOT use this method in infants!)The carotid artery runs along either side of the throat (windpipe). DO NOT PRESS ON THIS OR THE LARYNX ("Adam's Apple" or "Voice Box"). Run your fingers about halfway down the neck and press gently to the left or right side of the windpipe. You should feel the pulse. If not, try again or on the other side.
• On the wrist (radial pulse). This is the spot where most adults have their pulse taken. It can work well in kids, too. To find the right spot, place a finger at the base of your child's thumb and slide it straight down to the wrist. You can feel an indentation between bones in this area. Gently press  to feel for the pulse. This works best if your child's hand is lying flat or bent slightly backward.

Once you've located the pulse (feeling a "throbbing" or "beating" sensation on your fingers), begin counting the beats within a 30-second timeframe. After 30 seconds, take the number of beats you counted and multiply by it by 2 (double it)...(for example, 45 beats in a 30-second period),

45 x 2 = 90 beats per minute=heart rate). 

If you don't feel comfortable taking a pulse this way, or have difficulty, there is another option. Many smartphone apps and Apple watches can give pulse readings simply by pressing a finger over the camera lens or watch. If you have a pulse oximeter (finger clip used to record % oxygen, it will also give a pulse count). For a good reading, your child needs to be very still, so this method works best in older kids who are more cooperative.

To count your child/teen's respiratory rate (breathing rate), you need a watch with a second hand or stopwatch app (easier) with the minutes and seconds displayed. Find a quiet place where your child can sit or lie comfortably.

If your child has just been active (running, jumping, crying, etc.), wait at least 5 minutes to allow their breathing  to slow down. Like measuring a pulse, you will count the number of times your child takes a breath in 30 seconds, and then double it (multiply by 2). The best way to count the breathing rate is to do this while your child is not aware that you are doing it! You can keep your finger on their pulse but actually count the number of times their chest rises without being obvious that you are watching their chest risk and fall. 

The normal respiratory rate depends on the child's age, whether they are sleeping or awake, or if they have any illness or chronic medical condition.

signs of respiratory distress include:

• Bluish color around the mouth
• Pale or gray skin
• A grunting sound with each breath out
• Nose flaring
• Significant wheezing
• Upper chest sinks in with each breath

To measure height accurately at home:

1. Remove the child or teen’s shoes and bulky clothing. If possible, remove any hair accessories, or try to minimize any hair style that is higher than the scalp.
2. Take the height measurement on flooring that is not carpeted and against a flat surface such as a wall (ideally with no base molding).
3. Have the child or teen stand with feet flat, together, and with their heel, back, and the back of their head against the wall. Make sure legs are straight, arms are at sides, and shoulders are level.
4. Make sure the child or teen is looking straight ahead and that their line of sight is parallel with the floor.
5. Use a flat object (such as a hard book, cutting board, etc) to form a right angle with the wall and lower it until it firmly touches the crown of your child's head. Make sure that it remains parallel to the floor. (You can use a handyman's bubble level from the toolbox for more accuracy!)
6. Make sure the measurer’s eyes are at the same level as the object used (this is where that bubble comes in handy, you can see that it is level on their head, and then mark this area).
7. Lightly mark where the bottom of the hard object meets the wall. Then, use a tape measure (preferably metal, so it doesn't flex) from the base on the floor to the marked measurement on the wall to get the height measurement.
8. Accurately record the height to the nearest 1/8th inch (the smallest lines on a measuring tape) or ruler.

1. Use a digital scale. Avoid using bathroom scales that are spring-loaded. Place the scale on firm flooring (such as tile or wood) rather than carpet (If you only have carpeting, place a firm object such as a large book or wooden board over the carpet, though this is less ideal).
2. Have the child or teen remove their shoes and heavy clothing, such as sweaters.
3. Have the child or teen stand with both feet in the center of the scale.
4. Record the weight including the decimal (the number after the period, or "dot"). Note: Many people misunderstand this decimal place and think it is the # of ounces of weight. It is not...it represents tenths of a pound, where each ounce is 1/16th of a pound!