The carotid pulse can be accessed on the right or left side of the neck over the carotid artery. To determine heart rate, this is considered to be a more reliable site to measure than the wrist, particularly in individuals who have suffered some trauma.
The carotid arteries are the avenue for oxygenated blood moving from the heart to the brain. The pulse taken from the carotid arteries may be detected bilaterally on either side of the neck below the angle of the jaw. The carotid pulse should be taken when the patient is either sitting or lying down.
Carotid-during a rapid assessment, the nurses first priority is to check the patients vital functions by assessing his airway, breathing, and circulation. to check a patients circulation, the nurse must assess his heart and vascular network function. this is done by checking his skin color, temperature, mental status and, most importantly, his pulse. the nurse should use the carotid artery to check a patients circulation. in a patient with a circulatory problems or a history of compromised circulation, the radial pulse may not be palpable. the brachial pulse is palpated during rapid assessment of an infant.
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