Practice Quiz

NREMT EMR First Responder

Category - Patient Assessment

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All of the statements below are true of taking a patient’s radial pulse except one. Which statement about taking a radial pulse is false?
  1. The three middle fingers of your hand should be used (not your thumb)
  2. Your fingers should be placed on the anterior wrist, just above the crease between the hand and the wrist
  3. Moderate pressure should be applied (more pressure can be applied if the pulse is weak)
  4. Multiply the 30-second pulse rate by 2 or the 15-second pulse rate by 4 to calculate beats per minute
  5. If no pulse is felt, begin CPR immediately
Explanation
Answer: E - All of the statements above are true of taking a patient’s radial pulse except that a lack of radial pulse should be followed by checking for a carotid pulse prior to ever starting CPR. There are several possible reasons why a radial pulse may not be detected, including low blood pressure, shock, or injury to extremities preventing blood flow to the blood vessels of the arm.
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