Question

The clinic nurse is preparing to assess the client's apical pulse. The nurse correctly palpates over which area?

a) Over the carotid artery
b) Over the brachial artery
c) Over the popliteal artery
d) Over the apex of the heart

Answer 1

A clinic nurse correctly palpates the client's apical pulse over the apex of the heart, which is located at the 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line on the left side of the chest.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a clinic nurse is preparing to assess a client's apical pulse, they must palpate over the correct area for the most accurate measurement. The apical pulse is palpated over the apex of the client's heart. This process involves placing the fingers at the left side of the chest, roughly at the 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line, which is where the apex of the heart can be found. The correct choice for where the nurse correctly palpates for the apical pulse is therefore (d) Over the apex of the heart.