Skip to main content
Medicine LibreTexts

3.3: Finding the Error Activity- Radial Pulse – Feedback

  • Page ID
    16828
  • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    As per Figure 3.8, an incorrect technique is being demonstrated because the pads of the three fingers are being placed on the ulnar side of the wrist. The correct technique (Figure 3.9) to palpate the radial pulse involves placing the pads of the three fingers along the radius which is on the lateral side of the wrist (the thumb side). The pads of the fingers are placed on the radius bone close to the flexor aspect of the wrist.

    incorrect_checkbox.png Incorrect placement of fingers

    Radial-pulse-incorrect-300x200.jpg

    Figure 3.8: Incorrect placement of fingers

    correct_checkbox.png Correct placement of fingers

    While palpating the pulse, gently place the pads of your three fingers along the radial bone at the flexor aspect of the wrist (the thumb side).

    Radial-pulse-correct-300x200.jpg

    Figure 3.9: Correct placement of fingers


    This page titled 3.3: Finding the Error Activity- Radial Pulse – Feedback is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Lapum et al. (Ryerson University Library) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.