True or False? A casualty with a radial pulse receives a direct line IV.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Cannot be determined
• D. It depends on blood pressure

Answer: (B)

In field care, you don’t automatically give an IV just because there’s a radial pulse. A palpable radial pulse means there’s some distal perfusion, so IV access isn’t required immediately unless there are signs of shock or you need to deliver fluids or medications for resuscitation. The priority is to control life-threatening bleeding and manage airway and breathing; you obtain IV/IO access when the casualty’s condition warrants it, or switch to intraosseous access if IV is difficult or time-consuming. That’s why the statement is false—the presence of a radial pulse does not mandate a direct line IV.