Question

A medical assistant is preparing to obtain vital signs from an adult patient during a routine physical examination, which of the following arteries should the assistant use to palpate the patient's pulse?

1) Radial artery
2) Carotid artery
3) Brachial artery
4) Femoral artery

Answer 1

The medical assistant should use the brachial artery to palpate the patient's pulse. Other sites to find a pulse include the femoral artery in the thigh.

Step-by-step explanation:

The medical assistant should use the brachial artery to palpate the patient's pulse.

Pulse can be palpated manually by placing the tips of the fingers across an artery that runs close to the body surface and pressing lightly. While the radial artery in the wrist and the common carotid artery in the neck are commonly used, any superficial artery that can be palpated may be used.

Other sites to find a pulse include temporal and facial arteries in the head, femoral arteries in the thigh, popliteal arteries behind the knees, posterior tibial arteries near the medial tarsal regions, and dorsalis pedis arteries in the feet.