You are getting ready to take Mr. Henderson’s vitals, and as you wrap the blood pressure cuff around his upper arm, you are positioning it over his brachial artery. Whether you are checking a radial pulse or listening for Korotkoff sounds, you are interacting with the body’s high-pressure delivery system every single shift.
What is an Artery?
An artery is a type of blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart and distributes it to every tissue in the body. They have thick, muscular walls that need to be strong enough to handle the high pressure generated by the heart’s pumping action. Think of them as the high-pressure pipes in a building’s plumbing system, delivering fresh water where it’s needed.
Why Arteries Matter in Your Daily Care
Understanding arteries is essential because they are the primary location for assessing vital signs. When you check a pulse, you are feeling the expansion of an artery as blood surges through it. This tells you how well the heart is pumping. Furthermore, in an emergency involving a cut, recognizing arterial bleeding—bright red and spurting—is critical for applying immediate pressure to save a life. Your ability to quickly assess pulses and bleeding directly impacts patient safety.
What You’ll See During Your Shift
You will frequently palpate arteries during your daily rounds, most commonly the radial artery at the wrist or the carotid artery in the neck during CPR. You might also notice residents with conditions like Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) where arterial flow is reduced, leading to pain when walking or cool, pale extremities.
“Nurse Jamie, I was checking Mrs. Lopez’s radial pulse before her walk, and it feels very weak and thready compared to this morning. Her hand also feels a little cool to the touch. I wanted you to know before we get her up.”
Common Pitfall & Pro Tip
⚠️ Pitfall: Pressing down too hard when checking a pulse. If you press too firmly on an artery, you can actually compress the vessel against the bone and block the blood flow, making you think there is no pulse when there really is one.
Pro Tip: Use a feather-light touch when palpating a pulse. Use your index and middle fingers, not your thumb (which has its own pulse), and adjust your pressure until you feel the thump clearly. If you don’t feel it immediately, lighten your pressure—don’t push harder.
Memory Aid for Artery
Remember “A for Away”: Arteries carry blood Away from the heart.
Or think of “The Artery Alarm”: Because they are under high pressure, arterial bleeding is loud and spurting (like an alarm), whereas venous bleeding is usually a steady flow. This reminds you which vessel needs immediate pressure.
State Test Connection
Expect exam questions regarding the proper locations to find pulses (radial, carotid, brachial, pedal), the difference between arterial and venous bleeding, and the correct technique for checking a pulse.
Related Care Concepts
Assessing arteries is foundational for taking vital signs, specifically pulse rate and rhythm. It connects to blood pressure measurement and circulation assessment, particularly in diabetic residents or those with peripheral vascular disease. It also relates to skin integrity, as good blood flow is necessary for wound healing.
Quick Reference
✓ Key locations to check: Radial (wrist), Carotid (neck), Brachial (upper arm), Pedal (top of foot) ✓ When to report: Weak, thready, or absent pulse; signs of arterial bleeding (bright red, spurting); cold/pale extremities ✓ Care reminders: • Use light pressure when palpating a pulse • Check pedal pulses for residents with diabetes or leg pain • Apply direct and firm pressure immediately if arterial bleeding occurs • Report changes in pulse strength or regularity to the nurse immediately
Bottom line: Your fingers are often the first to detect changes in a resident’s circulation. Understanding arteries helps you monitor the flow of life throughout their body and act fast when something is wrong.