When taking an apical pulse, the stethoscope should be placed over the apex of the heart, which is located at the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line on the left side of the chest. To locate this spot, place your hand on the patient's chest and slide your fingers down the breastbone until you feel a bony notch where the ribs meet. Then slide your fingers to the left of this notch until you feel the fifth rib. The fifth intercostal space is located just below this rib, and the apical pulse can be found at the midclavicular line, which is an imaginary line that runs vertically down from the midpoint of the collarbone to the fifth intercostal space. Place the diaphragm of the stethoscope firmly on this spot to listen to the apical pulse. It is important to listen for a full minute to get an accurate reading of the heart rate and rhythm.