Which vital sign is assessed by palpating the radial artery?

The vital sign assessed by palpating the radial artery is the pulse rate. When you place your fingertips over the radial artery, which is located on the wrist on the thumb side, you can feel the rhythmic expansion and contraction of the artery as blood is pumped through it by the heart. This allows you to count the number of beats per minute, which is indicative of the pulse rate.

The pulse rate provides essential information about the heart's functioning and overall cardiovascular health. It can help identify various conditions, such as tachycardia (rapid heart rate) or bradycardia (slow heart rate), and can also indicate changes in a patient's health status.

Blood pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer and involves assessing the pressure of blood against the walls of the arteries; therefore, it is not determined by palpation of the radial artery. Temperature is assessed using a thermometer, and it measures body heat rather than cardiovascular activity. Respiration rate focuses on the number of breaths taken in a minute, which can be assessed by observing the chest movement or counting breaths rather than by palpating an artery. Hence, the radial pulse specifically relates to the assessment of pulse rate.