The nurse is measuring the client's radial pulse. How does the nurse properly perform this procedure?
1. Place two fingers on the medial side of the inner wrist gently on the surface of the skin.
2. Place the thumb on the lateral side of the wrist and apply gentle pressure.
3. Place two fingers on the lateral side of the inner wrist and apply gentle pressure.
4. Place the thumb on the medial side of the wrist gently.
Correct Answer: 3
The radial pulse is on the lateral, or thumb, side of the wrist. Gentle pressure is required to palpate the pulse, but care should be taken not to put too much pressure on the artery, which would occlude the pulse. The thumb should never be used to palpate the client's pulse, as the artery in the thumb of the nurse will interfere with accurate measurement.
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