Practice Question
Assess the patient's popliteal pulses, what area of the body should the nurse palpate?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Behind the knee
Rationale:
🟦 The popliteal pulse is located in the popliteal fossa, a shallow depression found directly behind the knee joint.
🟦 This artery lies deep within soft tissue, so moderate pressure is required to palpate it, often with the patient’s leg slightly flexed to relax the surrounding muscles.
🟦 Assessing the popliteal pulse helps evaluate arterial blood flow to the lower leg, especially when peripheral vascular disease or arterial occlusion is suspected.
🟦 Because it is more difficult to locate than other peripheral pulses, precise anatomical knowledge is essential to obtain an accurate assessment.
❌ In the groove behind the medial malleolus → Posterior tibial pulse
❌ Top surface of the foot → Dorsalis pedis pulse
❌ In the antecubital fossa → Brachial pulse
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This question is from EXAMPLIFY NUR 204 Fa 2025 EXAM 3 which contains 48 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: Examplify Exam(s)
- Domain: Medical-Surgical
- Answer Choices: 4