National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) Practice Exam

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Prepare for the NCBTMB Exam with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each packed with hints and explanations. Ensure your success with thorough study and targeted practice tests. Start your journey towards national certification today!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Which pulse can be felt just slightly anterior to the external auditory meatus?

Radial pulse
Carotid pulse
Temporal pulse
Femoral pulse

The correct answer is: Temporal pulse

The temporal pulse can be felt just slightly anterior to the external auditory meatus, which is the opening of the ear canal. This pulse is located in the temporal region of the head, where the temporal artery runs. By placing your fingers lightly in front of the ear, you can easily assess the pulse from this artery. In contrast, the radial pulse is located at the wrist, the carotid pulse is found in the neck, and the femoral pulse is located in the groin area. Each of these pulses corresponds to different arteries in the body, which are situated at various anatomical locations, making the temporal pulse the only one that fits the description given. Understanding the anatomical landmarks related to each pulse point is important for effectively locating them in practice.