Alabama CNA Practice Exam

To take a radial pulse accurately, the correct technique involves using your index and middle fingers to palpate the radial artery, which is located in the wrist just below the base of the thumb. This method allows you to feel the pulsations of the artery more effectively, providing a reliable measurement of the pulse rate. Using these two fingers helps ensure that you can detect the pulse without applying excessive pressure, which can occlude the artery and make it difficult to assess the heartbeat.

This technique is essential because sensitive nerves and tissues surround the wrist. Applying too much pressure or using the thumb—an option where pressure is applied by the thumb rather than the fingers—may hinder the ability to accurately feel the pulse. Additionally, counting pulses at the ankle, as suggested in one of the other options, is not standard for measuring a radial pulse and is not typically done for this specific assessment. Thus, option B is the most accurate method for taking a radial pulse.