What formula would you initially use to determine the patients pulse rate per minute?

The formula to calculate a patient's pulse rate per minute is:

Pulse rate (beats per minute) = beats counted in 15 seconds x 4

To calculate the pulse rate, healthcare professionals palpate the patient's pulse for 30 seconds with a watch to measure the beats. However, it is common for healthcare professionals to check the pulse for only 15 seconds and then multiply that number by 2.