Perfusion Status Assessment (PSA)

Question 1

What is the definition of perfusion?

Answer 1

The ability of the cardiovascular system to provide tissues with an adequate oxygenated blood supply to meet their functional demands at that time and to effectively remove the associated metabolic waste products

Question 2

What factors can affect the interpretation of the perfusion assessment?

Answer 2

• ambient temperature
• anxiety
• any cause of altered consciousness

Question 3

What would indicate adequate perfusion? (skin, pulse, BP, conscious state)

Answer 3

Skin - pink, warm, dry
Pulse - 60-100bpm
BP - >100mmHg systolic
Conscious state - alert and orientated to time and place

Question 4

What would indicate borderline perfusion? (skin, pulse, BP, conscious state)

Answer 4

Skin - cool, pale, clammy
Pulse - 50-100bpm
BP - 80-100 systolic
Conscious state - alert and orientated to time and place

Question 5

What would indicate inadequate perfusion? (skin, pulse, BP, conscious state)

Answer 5

Skin - Cool, pale, clammy
Pulse - <50 or >100 bpm
BP - 60-80 systolic
Conscious state - either alert and orientated to time and place or altered

Question 6

What would indicate extremely poor perfusion? (skin, pulse, BP, conscious state)

Answer 6

Skin - Cool, pale, clammy
Pulse - <50 or >110 bpm
BP - <60 systolic or unrecordable
- Altered of unconsciousness

Question 7

What would indicate no perfusion? (skin, pulse, BP, conscious state)

Answer 7

Skin - cool, pale, clammy
Pulse - no palpable pulse
BP - unrecordable
Conscious state - unconscious

Question 8

Recite the PSA table