PULSE SITES
A
pulse may be measured in nine sites
1. Temporal
Where
the temporal artery passes over the temporal bone of head. The site is superior
(above) and lateral to (away from the midline of) the eye
2. Carotid
At
the side of the neck where the carotid artery runs between the trachea and the
sternocleidomastoid muscle
3. Apical
At
the apex of the heart. In an adult this located on the left side of the chest,
about 8cm to the left of the sternum (breastbone) and at the fourth and
fifth, or sixth intercostal space (area between the ribs)
Before
4 years of the age the apex is left of the midclavicular line ( MCL); between 4
and 6yrs it is at MCL. For a child 7 to 9 yrs of age, the apical pulse is
located at the fourth or fifth intercostal space
4. Brachial
At
the inner aspect of the biceps muscle of the arm or medially in the ante
cubital space
5. Radial
Where
the radial artery runs along the radial bone, on the thumb side of the inner
aspect of the wrist
6. Femoral
Where
the femoral artery passes alongside the inguinal
7. Popliteal
Where
the popliteal artery passes behind the knee
8. Posterior tibial
On
the medial surface of the ankle where the posterior tibial artery passes behind
the medial malleolus
9. Pedal (Dorsalis Pedis)
Where the dorsalis pedis
artery passes over the bones of the foot, on an imaginary line drawn from the
middle of the ankle to the space between the big and second toes .
The radial site is most
commonly used in adults. it is easily found in most people and readily
accessible.
Reasons for using
specific Pulse Site
|
Pulse site
|
Reason for
Use
|
|
Radial
|
Readily
accessible
|
|
Temporal
|
Used when
radial pulse is not accessible
|
|
Carotid
|
Used during cardiac arrest/ shock in adults Used to
determine circulation to the brain
|
|
Apical
|
Routinely
used for infants and children up to 3 yrs of age
Used to
determine discrepancies with radial pulse
|
|
Brachial
|
Used to
measure blood pressure
Used
during cardiac arrest for infants
|
|
Femoral
|
Used in
cases of cardiac arrest] shock
Used to
determine circulation to a leg
|
|
Popliteal
|
Used to
determine circulation to the lower leg
|
|
Posterior
tibial
|
Used to
determine circulation to the foot
|
|
Dorsal
Pedal
|
- Used to
determine circulation to the foot
|
COMMENTS