Where is the radial pulse located?

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

Answer: (D)

Finding the radial pulse means locating the heartbeat at the wrist along the radial artery, on the thumb side. It sits just beneath the base of the thumb, so place the pads of your index and middle fingers on that area and press gently until you feel a regular pulse. Don’t press too hard, and avoid using your own thumb to palpate since it has its own pulse that can confuse what you’re feeling. This location contrasts with other common pulses: the inner elbow area gives the brachial pulse, the neck provides the carotid pulse, and the ankle area includes the dorsalis pedis or posterior tibial pulses.