ARRT Patient Care Practice Exam

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Which blood vessels are best suited for determination of pulse rate?

Superficial arteries
Deep arteries
Superficial veins
Deep veins

The correct answer is: Superficial arteries

The determination of pulse rate is most effective when assessed in superficial arteries. These blood vessels are located close to the surface of the skin, allowing for easier palpation and measurement of the pulse. When blood is pumped from the heart through these arteries, the pressure wave can be felt easily at points where the artery runs close to the surface, such as the wrist (radial artery) and neck (carotid artery). In contrast, deep arteries, while they do carry blood and can have a pulse, are situated deeper within the body and are not as easily accessible for pulse assessment. Superficial veins and deep veins are not appropriate for measuring pulse rate as they primarily transport deoxygenated blood back to the heart and do not exhibit a pulse pressure that corresponds to the heartbeat. Therefore, when measuring pulse rate, the focus should be on superficial arteries due to their accessibility and the visible characteristics of the pulse they provide.