Hard Time Finding Brachial Artery

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

Hello all!

I started my CNA class mid-May and we're just now starting to learn how to take BPs.

What I've been having the most trouble with is finding the brachial pulse. If I'm lucky I can find it (it's usually very faint), but most of the time I can't feel anything. I'm using two fingers and I've tried varying levels of pressure--thinking that I was pressing too hard, or not hard enough---but I can't find any reason why I can't consistently find it.

Any tips? Anyone willing to tell me, step-by-step what they (personally) do to find the brachial pulse? My textbook (Mosby's) and teacher haven't been much help.

Yeah, I'm like you, I know where it is, but they make us do this extra step to learn, where you have to palpate it, find where it stops beating on the manometer, THEN stick the steth on it, go 30 over, and do the bp.

Seems hard/frustrating now, but with the little trick above ^^ it's gotten a lot easier. I'm sure in a year I'll laugh at myself for thinking it was ever so hard. :)

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Thank you so much Jaynty! I tried tracing my arm from my pinky to the crease of my elbow and found my brachial artery!!! It also helped me to have my arm extended. Thanks again :nurse:

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Specializes in Public health nursing.

Thanks for the wonderful tips Jaynty and GirlScout! I can finally locate a brachial pulse much easily now!

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I just wanted to say thanks to everyone that gave out tips, they were all very helpful. Initially, I was having trouble finding the brachial pulse but now I feel more confident.

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jaynty said:
i find the easiest way to find the brachial pulse is if i draw a straight line from my litle finger up to my elbow crease. i end right on top of it.

yup...it worked...cool! thanks a lot, i was having a little bit of trouble with that too!

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Girl Scout said:
All this time I was having a horrible time finding the brachial on anybody, then suddenly today my instructor whips out this little gem:

extend your arm (resting)

with the opposite hand, place the index finger squarely in the middle/center of the crease

now add the next two fingers.

now lift your index finger.

it may take a moment, but you should feel your brachial.

This is MAGIC!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!

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Jaynty said:
i find the easiest way to find the brachial pulse is if i draw a straight line from my litle finger up to my elbow crease. i end right on top of it.

Thanks for this hint!! It works perfectly!!! I have my State testing tomorrow and was freaking out because I have been struggling with this. I was so stressed about doing BP's because of it but am so excited because now it's crystal clear!! Thank you so much!!!:)

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Im estatic, this works. I have had so much trouble. But this works for me:yeah:

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If you trace a straight line from your pinky finger straight up to the crease of your elbow you are going to be in the right area, you might have to search around a little from there, but it will be on the medial side of the elbow crease. It helps to hyper extend the elbow when you are checking. If you cant find it to save your life, all is not lost as you can still put the stethoscope on the location I mentioned and will often hear something when you pump up the cuff, many people probably just do this anyway.

Edit: I just realized someone beat me to this advice. Great minds think alike.

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Personally, I get the person comfortable and relaxed, put a pillow under the arm. If they are relaxed it will be easier to find.. it's all about the set up. Once you get them relaxed arm straight and out, just do a little search and pay attention, you will find it easy.

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This is seriously magical. Thank you thank you thank you!

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Genius! This, with the other one, have been extremely helpful!

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