What is the correct technique for palpating a patient's pulse?

Using the tips of two or three fingers to gently press is the correct technique for palpating a patient's pulse. This method allows for a more accurate assessment of the pulse rate and rhythm. When you use your fingertips, you can feel for the pulsation more sensitively and accurately without exerting excessive pressure that could occlude the artery.

Using a gentle touch is important because pressing too hard can impede blood flow, making it difficult to detect the pulse. This technique is universally recommended for palpating pulses at common sites, such as the radial artery at the wrist or the carotid artery in the neck. The reason for using multiple fingers rather than one is to enhance the sensitivity and feel for the pulse, especially in individuals with weak or faint pulses.

The other techniques mentioned may not effectively assess the pulse. Pressing hard with one finger may block blood flow, resulting in an inaccurate reading, whereas using the heel of your hand or palpating over the wrist bone could miss the pulse altogether, as these methods do not allow for the necessary sensitivity required to detect the pulsation effectively.