Final answer:
The statement is false; while the apical pulse is an important clinical measurement site, the radial artery at the wrist is the most common site for checking pulse or heart rate.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the most common site for checking the pulse or heart rate is the apical pulse is false. The pulse is most readily measured at the radial artery, which is located at the wrist.
Nevertheless, there are several other sites where a pulse can be taken, including the common carotid artery in the neck, temporal and facial arteries in the head, brachial arteries in the upper arm, 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.
While the apical pulse, measured at the apex of the heart using a stethoscope, is a crucial site particularly in clinical settings, it is not the most common site used for routine pulse checks.