How should you check for a pulse in an adult?

To check for a pulse in an adult, palpating the carotid artery is the recommended method because it is one of the most reliable sites for assessing circulation, especially in an emergency situation. The carotid artery is located in the neck, and palpating it provides a clear assessment of the heart's function and blood flow. It is essential to check for no more than 10 seconds because prolonged assessment can delay necessary interventions, especially if the person is unresponsive or in cardiac arrest.

Choosing the carotid artery over other sites like the radial or femoral artery ensures that you are likely to detect a pulse more quickly and accurately. The radial pulse can be difficult to palpate adequately in some individuals or may not reflect the overall cardiovascular status as reliably as the carotid pulse. Furthermore, checking the pulse at the wrist for an extended duration, such as 30 seconds, is not practical in a time-sensitive situation where rapid decisions and actions are required. Hence, a focused and quick assessment at the carotid artery is the best approach in emergency care for adults.