What is the common method for gauging a patient’s pulse?

The common method for gauging a patient's pulse is by palpating the radial artery. This technique involves placing two or three fingers on the wrist, on the thumb side, to feel the pulse that is created by the beating of the heart against the arterial walls. Palpation is widely used because it is simple, quick, and requires no special equipment, making it accessible in virtually any clinical or emergency situation.

While other methods such as listening with a stethoscope or using a digital monitor can provide accurate pulse readings, they may not be as universally practical or quick as palpation. Counting breaths per minute, on the other hand, measures respiration rather than pulse and does not contribute to finding the heart rate, making it irrelevant to the question of how to gauge the pulse specifically.