Basic Life Support (BLS) Practice Exam

When a patient shows signs of ROSC, where should you perform the pulse check?

1. At the carotid or femoral artery

2. At the wrist or ankle

3. At the forehead

4. At the temple

The correct answer is: At the carotid or femoral artery

When assessing for a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), it is critical to check the pulse at locations where blood flow can be easily felt and monitored. The carotid or femoral artery is the preferred site for checking the pulse in these situations. The carotid artery, located in the neck, and the femoral artery, found in the groin area, are major arteries that typically provide a strong pulse when blood is circulating adequately. These sites are ideal because they allow for the most accurate assessment of circulation; if a pulse is present at either of these sites, it indicates that the heart is effectively pumping oxygenated blood throughout the body. In contrast, checking the pulse at the wrist or ankle may not be as reliable, especially in cases of shock or poor perfusion, as these may not provide a strong pulse even if the heart is pumping blood. The forehead and temple are not appropriate sites for determining pulse because they lack the significant arterial flow that would indicate effective circulation. Therefore, the carotid and femoral arteries are the most suitable sites for performing a pulse check when evaluating if a patient has achieved ROSC.