Allen test

Question 1

How to do an allen test?

Answer 1

Have the patient grip their hand
Apply pressure to both ulnar and radial arteries
have patient relax the hand and ensure the hand is pale
then release ulnar artery, and blood should return

Question 2

What is a positive allen test?

Answer 2

hand flushes within 5-15 seconds so ulnar artery has good blood flow

Question 3

What is a negative Allen test?

Answer 3

the hand does not flush within 5-15 seconds, which indicates that ulnar circulation is inadequate or nonexistent