Where should you take a radial pulse?

Taking a radial pulse involves locating the pulse at the wrist, specifically on the thumb side. This area is where the radial artery travels close to the surface, making it easily accessible for palpation. To find the radial pulse, one would typically place their index and middle fingers on the wrist, just below the base of the thumb.

This method is standard in clinical practice due to its convenience and the prominence of the radial artery at this location, allowing for a reliable measurement of heart rate. In contrast, taking a pulse in other locations like the neck (carotid pulse), the chest (not a common pulse point), or the ankle (posterior tibial or dorsalis pedis pulses) is less practical in many situations and may not provide the same level of ease and accuracy for observing a patient's pulse.