Where is the radial pulse located?

• A. On the neck.
• B. On the inner elbow.
• C. On the wrist just under the thumb.
• D. On the ankle.

Answer: (C)

The radial pulse is felt at the wrist where the radial artery runs along the thumb side. You locate it by placing the pads of your index and middle fingers on the inner wrist, just below the base of the thumb, on the radial side of the forearm. This spot is used because the artery lies close to the surface there, making the pulse easy to feel and count. Use a light touch—pressing too hard can obscure or stop the pulse momentarily. If you don’t feel anything, adjust the hand position a bit or check the other wrist.

For context, the pulse in the neck is the carotid pulse; the pulse at the inner elbow is the brachial pulse; and pulses around the ankle are the posterior tibial or dorsalis pedis pulses.