A present femoral pulse indicates a systolic blood pressure of at least...

• A. 50 mmHg
• B. 60 mmHg
• C. 70 mmHg
• D. 80 mmHg

Answer: (C)

Palpable pulses at different sites map to approximate minimum systolic blood pressures. If you can feel a femoral pulse, the systolic pressure is about 70 mmHg or higher. This is lower than the threshold for a radial pulse (about 80 mmHg) and higher than the threshold for a carotid pulse (about 60 mmHg). So a present femoral pulse indicates SBP around 70 mmHg or greater.