Radial Artery (Pulse)
Palpating arteries or veins allows determination of the state of normalcy or pathology of the vessel by pain response and texture of the vessel. Palpation also can establish the locations where bone and vessel are in close proximity. These locations are high-risk sites for artery or vein compression.
For arteries, palpate at the anatomical location with the most access and with the patient positioned to maximally expose the artery. This may include stretching the artery and relaxing soft tissue around the artery. Arteries tend to compress with pressure and then spring back to original shape with removal of the pressure. An artery has more muscles in the walls than veins do, so there is more rebound when an artery is gently compressed and then the compression is released. Palpate the pulse.
For veins, palpate at the anatomical location with the patient positioned to maximally expose the vein. Feel the sponginess and springiness of the vein. Veins usually compress with pressure more than arteries and remain compressed with removal of the pressure. This occurs because there are few muscles in the walls of veins.
