Pedal pulses

[shayandkaty]

Any tips on palpating pedal pulses. I am getting ready to graduate, and I find it hard funding a pedal pulse with out the Doppler. Not sure if there was some super secret way you nurses find it? lol. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP]

Close your eyes while palpating. That's always helped me concentrate on finding the sensation when it's difficult to find.

[firstinfamily, RN]

Practice, practice, practice and knowing the anatomy. For a long time I took an illustrated picture of the location of the pedal pulse with me to the bedside to look at while I was trying to locate it. Usually I find it between the Great toe and second toe at the metatarsals area on slightly above the arch of the anterior foot. I always mark the spot with an X, and if I cannot find it after my "search" I will use a doppler. If you cannot find the pedal, can you locate the posterior tibial? I always try to find both to assess for circulation issues.

[newohiorn, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I remember having a lot of trouble finding them when I was a new nurse too! Had forgotten that until I saw your post. Now I can pretty much walk up to someone and know where they should be. It comes with time and practice. Feel pulses on every patient even when you don't think it's necessary. I will say I could do without the stupid socks with the tread on both sides of the foot getting in the way of my pulse palpation.