A nurse is performing a cardiac assessment. Identify where the nurse should place the stethoscope to auscultate the client's apical pulse. (You will find hot spots to select in the artwork below. Select only the hot spot that corresponds to your answer.)

To auscultate the apical pulse, the nurse should place the stethoscope at the fifth intercostal space, midclavicular line on the left side of the chest. This location is where the apex of the heart is closest to the chest wall, making it the best spot for assessing the apical pulse.