Final answer:
To read the radial arterial line, a clinician measures the pulse at the radial artery using an inflatable cuff and stethoscope.
Step-by-step explanation:
The radial arterial line can be read by measuring the pulse at the radial artery. The radial artery is formed at the bifurcation of the brachial artery and parallels the radius. It gives off smaller branches until it reaches the carpal region where it fuses with the ulnar artery to form the superficial and deep palmar arches. To measure the radial arterial line, a clinician can use an inflatable cuff attached to a measuring device and a stethoscope. The clinician wraps the cuff tightly around the patient's arm at about the level of the heart, raises the pressure around the artery by inflating the cuff, and then gradually allows air within the cuff to escape while listening for the Korotkoff sounds with the stethoscope.