Question

When assessing peripheral vascular status of the lower extremities, you place your fingertips on the top of your patient's foot between the extensor tendons of the great toe and those of the toe next to it. Which pulse are you palpating?

a) Popliteal pulse
b) Posterior tibial pulse
c) Dorsalis pedis pulse
d) Femoral pulse

Answer 1

When assessing peripheral vascular status of the lower extremities, the palpation of the dorsalis pedis pulse is done by placing the fingertips on the top of the foot between the extensor tendons of the great toe and those of the toe next to it.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing peripheral vascular status of the lower extremities, placing your fingertips on the top of the patient's foot between the extensor tendons of the great toe and those of the toe next to it allows you to palpate the dorsalis pedis pulse. This pulse is located on the dorsum (top) of the foot and supplies blood to the tarsal and dorsal regions of the foot. It is important to assess the dorsalis pedis pulse to monitor blood flow and circulation in the lower extremities.