QLexNursing

• ✔️The carotid artery is a central artery, located close to the heart, giving the strongest and quickest pulse.

• •✔️ It remains palpable even when blood pressure is extremely low, such as in shock or cardiac arrest.

• •✔️ It is the recommended site during emergencies or unresponsiveness because peripheral pulses may disappear.

• •✔️ The carotid artery gives a rapid, accurate indication of perfusion and cardiac output.

• •✔️ Its large diameter and central location make it more reliable than radial or brachial pulses during acute assessments.

✖ Incorrect Answers Rationale:

— Brachial (Incorrect)

• ✔️Mainly used for infants and BP measurement, not for fast emergency assessment.

• •✔️ Harder to locate quickly in adults during compromised perfusion.

— Radial (Incorrect)

• ✔️A peripheral pulse, which weakens or disappears first when perfusion drops.

• •✔️ Not reliable in critically ill or collapsing patients.

— Femoral (Incorrect)

•✔️ Although central, it is less accessible quickly due to clothing or patient positioning.

• • ✔️Takes longer to reach compared to the carotid, which is immediately exposed.