Kendra the Patient Care Technician is preparing to perform an arterial puncture. What area of the patient’s body should Kendra examine first for a suitable site?
  1. The antecubital area of both arms.
  2. The thumb side of the wrist.
  3. The brachial artery.
  4. The femoral artery.
Explanation
Answer: B - Kendra should examine the thumb side of the wrist first. This radial artery is located in this area and is the first choice for arterial punctures. The brachial artery may be considered if the radial artery is not an option. The brachial artery is large and easy to palpate; however, it is a more difficult stick because the brachial artery lies much deeper in the arm, very near the median nerve and basilic vein. The femoral artery is for punctures performed by physicians only.
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