How should you check for a pulse in a child?

To check for a pulse in a child, feeling the carotid or femoral pulse is the most effective method. The carotid pulse, located in the neck, and the femoral pulse, located in the groin, are significant because they are large blood vessels that are close to the surface, making them easier to palpate, especially when determining if circulation is present.

In the context of pediatric assessment, it's crucial to have a reliable method for checking a pulse, as identifying whether the child is pulseless can impact the urgency and type of intervention needed. While the brachial pulse is often used in infants due to its accessibility on smaller arms, for older children and youths, utilizing the carotid or femoral pulse provides better clarity, especially in urgent situations.

Monitoring the abdomen does not provide any useful information regarding pulse assessment and checking the wrist is less reliable due to smaller, often difficult-to-palpate radial pulses in children. Therefore, targeting the larger vessels, such as the carotid or femoral arteries, is the best practice for checking a child's pulse.