For assessing pulse in an infant, which arterial site is commonly used?

• A. brachial artery
• B. radial artery
• C. carotid artery
• D. temporal artery

Answer: (A)

In infants, the brachial artery is the site most commonly used to assess the pulse because it is large enough to palpate even in newborns and lies close to the surface on the inner upper arm, making the pulse easy to feel. This location also aligns well with how blood pressure is measured in babies, providing a consistent reference point. The radial artery is often too small to reliably palpate in infancy, which can lead to inconsistent readings. The carotid artery, while palpable in some situations, carries greater risk in infants and can provoke reflex effects or provide less reliable measurements. The temporal artery is not typically used in infants due to difficulty in obtaining a reliable pulse in this age group.