While inserting a rectal thermometer, the nurse encounters resistance. The nurse should:

A. Perception occurs when the brain interprets pain signals and recognizes them as pain. This step happens after the nerve impulses have been transmitted to the brain.
B. Transduction is the first step in the pain process, where painful stimuli (such as cutting a finger) activate nociceptors, converting the stimulus into an electrical signal.
C. Modulation involves the body’s response to pain signals, where descending nerve pathways release substances like endorphins to inhibit pain transmission. This occurs later in the pain process.
D. Transmission is the process of pain signals traveling from the site of injury to the spinal cord and brain via afferent nerve fibers. This step occurs after transduction and allows pain signals to reach the central nervous system.

A. Carotid. The carotid arteries supply blood to the brain, and compressing both simultaneously can reduce cerebral blood flow, potentially causing dizziness, syncope, or loss of consciousness. Therefore, carotid pulses should be assessed one at a time.
B. Radial. The radial pulse can be safely assessed bilaterally at the same time since it does not affect central circulation or brain perfusion.
C. Brachial. The brachial pulse can also be assessed bilaterally without risk, as it does not impact blood flow to critical organs like the brain.
D. Femoral. The femoral pulse can be checked simultaneously on both sides to assess circulation and perfusion, especially in cases of suspected arterial insufficiency.