What are the three most common sites to take a pulse?

The most common sites to take a pulse are the radial, brachial, and carotid arteries, making this choice the correct one.

The radial pulse is easily accessible at the wrist and is commonly used because of its convenience and the ability to palpate it easily while a patient is seated or lying down. The brachial pulse, located in the inner arm, is particularly useful for assessing pulse in infants and for measuring blood pressure. The carotid pulse is found in the neck and is critical in emergency situations due to its prominence; it is often used when assessing unconscious patients or those with low blood flow.

While the other options list important pulse points, they are less commonly used for general assessments. For example, the femoral pulse is vital in certain clinical scenarios, especially in pelvic injuries, and the popliteal and dorsalis pedis are used primarily for lower extremity assessments. The axillary and subclavian pulses, as well as the temporal and jugular pulses, are less typical for routine checks in a clinical setting. Therefore, the selection of radial, brachial, and carotid represents the most widely recognized and utilized sites for pulse assessment.