During a cardiovascular assessment, what should be palpated for?

In a cardiovascular assessment, palpating peripheral and/or central pulses is essential as it provides critical information about the patient's circulatory status. By feeling the pulses, healthcare providers can assess the strength, regularity, and quality of blood flow in different parts of the body. This information helps to determine whether blood is being effectively circulated throughout the body and can indicate potential cardiovascular issues such as impaired circulation or blood volume problems.

Palpating pulses allows the clinician to detect abnormalities, such as weak or absent pulses that might suggest arterial blockage or severe cardiovascular distress. This step is integral to evaluating the heart's function directly and provides insights that are not readily available through visual observation alone.