Patient Care Technician Certification (PCTC) AMCA Practice Exam

Which of the following areas of the body is the site at which to detect the popliteal pulse?

1. Wrist

2. Ankle

3. Knee

4. Elbow

The correct answer is: Knee

The site to detect the popliteal pulse is located behind the knee, making the area of the knee the correct answer. The popliteal artery runs through this region, and the pulse can be felt as it branches off to supply blood to the lower leg. Knowing how to locate the popliteal pulse is vital for assessing circulation in the legs, particularly in a clinical setting. It is commonly palpated during physical examinations for various conditions, including peripheral artery disease. The other options represent areas where other major pulses can be felt, but they do not correspond to the popliteal site. The wrist is where the radial pulse is commonly detected, the ankle is where one might feel the posterior tibial pulse, and the elbow is where the brachial pulse can be checked. Each of these locations corresponds to different major arteries in the body but is not related to the popliteal pulse.