Which location is used to locate the carotid pulse during a pulse check for an unresponsive adult?

• A. Radial pulse on the wrist
• B. Carotid pulse on the neck
• C. Femoral pulse on the thigh
• D. Brachial pulse in the arm

Answer: (B)

When assessing an unresponsive adult, you check the carotid pulse on the neck because it’s a central, large artery that gives a quick and reliable indication of circulation. Peripheral pulses like the one at the wrist (radial) can be absent early in cardiac arrest or shock, making them less reliable for a rapid decision about whether to start CPR. The other sites—the femoral or brachial—are not as quick or straightforward for a rapid pulse check in this situation. To perform the check, feel one side of the neck just beside the trachea in the groove under the jawline, using two fingers to palpate the carotid artery for up to 10 seconds. If no pulse is detected, begin CPR immediately; if a pulse is present but the person isn’t breathing normally, provide rescue breaths.