arterial assessment

Question 1

signs and symptoms of arterial
insufficiency

Answer 1

1. pale skin
2. flaking skin
3. cyanosis
4. cold
5. clubbing - COPD

Question 2

describe how you would do the buerger’s test

Answer 2

1. both legs are examined at the same time
2. have the patient supine and elevate their legs to a 45 degree angle and hold for 3 minutes and observe the color of their soles
3. if their soles are pallor that indicates ischemia
4. after 3 mintues , sit the patient up and ask them to hang their legs down over the side of the bed at an 90 degree angle
5. note the difference in time between the legs that it takes for the leg to return to a normal color
6. positive test if it takes more than 1-2 minutes for the redness to occur along with a reduction of pain and/or cramping to be reduced

Question 3

what is the positive test for the buerger’s test

Answer 3

positive test when it takes more than 1-2 minutes for redness to occur along with a reduction of pain and/or cramping

Question 4

describe how to perform the capillary refill test

Answer 4

1. apple pressure to the patients nail bed until it turns white which indicated that the blood has been forced from the tissue (aka blanching)
2. once the tissue is blanched , remove the pressure and record the time it takes for blood to return to the tissue
3. a postive test is if it takes long then 2 seconds for the pink color to return and indicates shock , dehyrdation , hypthermia or peripheral arterial disease

Question 5

what is the positive test of the capillary refill

Answer 5

if it takes long than 2 seconds for the tissue to return to normal color and it inidicates shock, dehydration , hypothermia or peripheral arterial disease