You have been called to assess a conscious and alert 5-year-old whose chief complaint is nausea and vomiting over the last 2 hours. When assessing his pulse, you should first check which pulse?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The radial pulse is the most appropriate pulse to check in a conscious and alert 5-year-old. It is easily accessible and can be checked simultaneously while assessing other vital signs such as respiratory rate and blood pressure. The other options (brachial, carotid, and pedal) may be difficult to locate in young children and may cause discomfort, especially if the child is already feeling nauseous.

You Have Been Called to Assess a Conscious and Alert