To assess circulation on an infant, you would use their brachial pulse.

• A. Carotid pulse
• B. Brachial pulse
• C. Radial pulse
• D. Femoral pulse

Answer: (B)

Assessing circulation in an infant relies on a pulse site that is easy to locate and safe to palpate without disturbing the airway. The brachial pulse fits that need: you palpate it on the inside of the upper arm, which is typically accessible and reliable even when the infant is lying still. The neck carotid pulse is harder to feel accurately in infants and palpating around the neck can be uncomfortable or less safe. The radial pulse at the wrist is often too small to reliably detect in infants, making it impractical. The femoral pulse can be used in some situations, but it’s less convenient for a quick, initial check. So the brachial pulse is the practical choice for assessing circulation in an infant.