Which technique is recommended to assess circulation during PALS?

Assessing circulation during Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is critical for determining the effectiveness of the heart's pumping ability and blood flow to vital organs. The recommended technique for this assessment is checking for a pulse in the carotid artery. This is because the carotid artery is one of the major blood vessels that supply blood to the brain and is less likely to be affected by peripheral circulation issues compared to other pulse sites.

In a pediatric patient, finding a pulse can help assess the effectiveness of the heart's contractions and provide vital information about the child's circulatory status. If a pulse is absent or very weak, it suggests a critical situation where immediate resuscitative measures may be necessary.

Other methods mentioned may be useful in different contexts; however, they do not primarily focus on circulation assessment. Signs of breathing can indicate whether the patient is respirating adequately but do not directly assess circulation. Pressing on the abdomen might indicate issues related to the gastrointestinal system rather than circulation. Listening for heart sounds could provide additional information in a different scenario but is not practical or effective as an immediate assessment technique in an emergency setting. Therefore, checking for a pulse in the carotid artery is the most appropriate and effective method for this purpose in PALS.