In an infant less than 1 year, which pulse should be checked?

• A. Brachial pulse of the inner upper arm
• B. Carotid pulse
• C. Radial pulse
• D. Femoral pulse

Answer: (A)

For an infant under 1 year, the brachial pulse in the inner upper arm is the best site to check. It’s close to the surface, easy to reach with a couple of fingers, and provides a reliable quick-reading pulse in small infants. The carotid pulse is deeper in the neck and harder to locate accurately in babies, and pressing there can be uncomfortable or disruptive. The radial pulse at the wrist is often too small to feel reliably in infants, making readings inconsistent. The femoral pulse is farther from the heart and not as convenient for a rapid check in a sleeping or supine infant. So the inner upper-arm brachial pulse is the appropriate choice for quick pulse assessment in infants.