Pulse Points

Temporal This artery is located in front of the tragus and above the zygomatic arch or the cheekbone. The temporal pulse point is palpated during the head-to-toe assessment of the head.

Carotid This pulse point is most commonly checked among adults during CPR. The carotid artery primarily supplies the neck, face, and brain with blood. The carotid must be palpated one side at a time to avoid triggering the vagus nerve, which will cause the heart rate and blood circulation to the brain to decrease. Finding the carotid pulse point consists of tilting the head to the side and palpating below the jaw line between the sternomastoid muscle and trachea.

Apical The apical pulse is the point of maximal impulse. It is located at the apex of the heart, on the left side of the chest at the 5th intercostal space midclavicular line. This site is checked when performing head-to-toe assessment and before administering Digoxin. Ensure first that the pulse rate is 60 bpm or greater for adults before taking Digoxin. Always measure the pulse rate with a stethoscope at this location. To locate the apical pulse point, find the sternal notch then palpate down the Angle of Louis. Go to the second intercostal space on the left side of the chest and then to the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line.

Brachial The brachial pulse point, a major artery in the upper arm, is divided into the radial and ulnar arteries. This is where blood pressure is measured and where the pulse is checked for CPR for infants. To locate the brachial pulse point, extend the arm and face the palms upward. The pulse point is located close to the top of the cubital fossa, a triangular area in front of the elbow.

Radial The radial pulse point, a major artery in the lower arm, comes off of the brachial artery and facilitates circulation to the arm and hand. This is where the heart rate is measured in adults. To find this pulse point, extend the arm out and face the palms upward. The pulse point is located below the thumb in the wrist area along the radial bone.

Femoral The femoral pulse point is a major artery located in the groin. It facilitates circulation to the legs. This is palpated deeply in the groin below the inguinal ligament between the pubic symphysis and anterior superior iliac spine.

Popliteal The popliteal pulse point is found behind the knee and comes off of the femoral artery. This artery runs deep similar to the femoral artery. To locate the artery, simply flex the knee. The pulse point is near the middle of the popliteal fossa, which is a diamond-shaped pitted area behind the knee. Palpate the artery using two hands-- one to assist in flexing the knee and one to palpate the artery.

Dorsalis Pedis To locate the dorsalis pedis artery, find the extensor hallucis longus (EHL) tendon by having the big toe extended. Palpate down this tendon and at the end of the tendon, go to the side, where you will find the pulse point.

Posterior Tibial The posterior tibial pulse point is assessed in head-to-toe assessments, along with the dorsalis pedis. Doing this is important for people who have peripheral vascular disease or have undergone vascular procedures. This pulse point is found on the inside of the ankle, in the middle of the medial malleolus (the bony part of the ankle bone) and Achilles tendon.