If a patient is having burns of upper body including upper extremities, nursing officer should take which of the following pulse?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

KGMU Nursing Officer 2023 Memory-Based Previous Year Paper

Answer 1

Correct Answer: Popliteal Pulse

Rationale:

The popliteal pulse is located behind the knee and is often used to assess circulation in the lower extremities. However, in the context of severe burns affecting the upper body, including the upper extremities, the popliteal pulse becomes a viable option for assessing peripheral circulation because the burned areas may make other pulse points inaccessible or unreliable.
Severe burns can cause significant swelling, tissue damage, and disruption of blood flow in the affected areas. These changes can make it difficult to locate or accurately measure pulses in burned regions.
In cases where the upper body and extremities are severely burned, the nursing officer should prioritize pulse points that are unaffected by the burns and provide reliable vascular assessment. The popliteal pulse is located in an area that is less likely to be impacted by upper-body burns.
The popliteal artery is a major vessel that supplies blood to the lower limb, making it a suitable location for assessing systemic circulation.

Explanation of Other Options:

Carotid Pulse

Rationale: The carotid pulse is located in the neck and is commonly used in emergency situations to assess circulation during cardiac arrest or severe hypotension. However, in cases of burns affecting the upper body, the carotid pulse may not provide information about peripheral circulation, which is crucial for assessing systemic blood flow in burn patients.

Radial Pulse

Rationale: The radial pulse is located at the wrist and is commonly used for routine vital sign assessments. However, if the upper extremities are burned, swelling and tissue damage may obscure or eliminate the radial pulse, making it unreliable in such cases.

Brachial Pulse

Rationale: The brachial pulse is located in the upper arm and is often used for blood pressure measurement. Severe burns on the upper body, including the arms, may compromise the ability to assess this pulse accurately due to swelling or tissue damage.

Popliteal Pulse

Rationale: As explained earlier, the popliteal pulse is located in the lower extremities and is less likely to be affected by burns on the upper body. This makes it the most suitable option for assessing peripheral circulation when the upper extremities are burned.

Conclusion:

In cases where a patient has burns affecting the upper body, including the upper extremities, the popliteal pulse is the best choice for assessing circulation. It is located away from the burned areas and provides reliable information about blood flow in the lower extremities.
Other pulse points, such as the radial, brachial, or carotid, may be compromised or less relevant for assessing peripheral circulation in this specific context.