Answer:
Option A, Place the tips of the first two fingers over the groove along the thumb side of the patient's wrist
Step-by-step explanation:
The radial pulse is the force of blood against the walls of the distal end of the radial artery as it branches to becomes the smaller vessels of the rest of the hand. This pulse rests in the wrist of the patient on their thumb side atop the bone known as the radius, hence its name. In most individuals, a fairly strong pulsating sensation can be felt in this area making it a popular place to determine pulse rate and compare pulse strengths.
To obtain this pulse, the nurse should specifically place their index and middle fingers over the groove along the thumb side of the patient's wrist, between the lateral edges of the radius and the palmaris longus tendon (or, at least, where palmaris longus would be; not everyone has it!). The nurse should use their two fingers and not their thumb because the thumb has its own pulse which could be mistaken for the patient's pulse. The nurse should place these fingers gently as to not occlude blood flow to the vessels of the hand. It is usually a strong pulse, so pressure of any kind, should not be necessary.
To reiterate, the nurse should place two fingers over the groove long the thumb side of the patient's wrist, option A.