PULSE POINTS Flashcards
temporal
the temporal area of the skull
carotid
in the neck between the larynx and the sternocleomastoid muscle; most frequently used in emergencies and to evaluate the effectiveness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation
apical
located at the apex of the heart; auscultated with a stethoscope and often used in infants and young children and for adults who have a rapid or irregular pulse. it is used to evaluate certain medications. the apical pulse can also be used to monitor for the pulse deficit by simultaneously measuring the apical and radial pulse and comparing the readings. The apical pulse should be counted for 1 minute
brachial
located in the inner aspect of the arm at the elbow level and frequently used in small children where the radial artery is difficult to palpate
radial
located at the thumb side of the hand; most frequent point of use to palpate the pulse
femoral
located in the groin below the inguinal ligament
popliteal
located at the back of the knee; used to measure the blood pressure in the leg
dorsalis pedis
located in the top of the foot