Which arteries are commonly difficult to locate in aging?

• A. Carotid and facial
• B. Radial and ulnar
• C. Dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial
• D. Femoral and popliteal

Answer: (C)

As people age, the peripheral arteries undergo changes like atherosclerosis and calcification, which make them stiffer and less responsive. The arteries at the distal sites, especially the small ones on the foot—the dorsalis pedis on the top of the foot and the posterior tibial behind the ankle—tend to become harder to feel. They are small, lie beneath soft tissues, and are easily obscured by edema or body habitus, so their pulses often become faint or absent in older adults even when circulation is adequate. That combination of distal location and age-related vascular changes is why these two arteries are commonly difficult to locate in aging. If palpation is challenging, using a Doppler device or checking proximal pulses can help assess circulation.