Which technique is correct for locating the radial pulse?

• A. Use the thumb to palpate the artery
• B. Count beats for 2 seconds and multiply by 30
• C. Use only one finger to palpate
• D. Place the pads of the index and middle fingers on the thumb side of the wrist

Answer: (D)

Locating the radial pulse is best done by placing the pads of the index and middle fingers on the wrist on the thumb side, just where the radial artery runs close to the surface. This position lets you feel the arterial pulsation clearly without pushing too hard or missing it. Using the thumb is discouraged because your own pulse can be mistaken for the patient’s, and using only one finger can make it easier to miss the pulse. The option about counting beats over a short interval pertains to measuring heart rate, not the act of locating the pulse, and the standard practice is to count for a longer, more reliable period (like 15 or 30 seconds) rather than just 2 seconds.