What should you palpate in a diabetic foot exam?

• A. Pedal pulses
• B. Spleen edge
• C. Temporal artery
• D. Biceps reflex

Answer: (A)

In a diabetic foot exam, the essential step is assessing arterial blood flow to the foot by palpating the pedal pulses, specifically the dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial arteries. Palpable, normal pulses indicate adequate perfusion and helping to rule out peripheral arterial disease that can hinder wound healing and raise the risk of ulcers or serious infections. If pulses are weak or absent, it signals compromised blood flow and may prompt further vascular evaluation or referral for possible revascularization. The other options aren’t part of assessing foot perfusion: the spleen edge checks for splenomegaly, the temporal artery exam looks for temporal arteritis, and the biceps reflex is a neurological/nerve function test of the arm. While neuropathy assessment is also important in diabetes, palpating pedal pulses specifically evaluates blood supply to the feet.