Peripheral Vascular Exam Flashcards
How would you begin your exam?
Wash your hands Introduce yourself Confirm the patient's name, DOB Ask for consent about the examination Ask them if they are in any pain at all
How should the patient be positioned?
Exposed legs completely
Lying down on bed
Make sure they are comfortable
Observations
Symmetry of legs = swollen? Any dressing Scars Hair distribution Discolouration Bruising Muscle wasting - inner aspect of thigh redness ulcers infection signs gangrene nails = brittle?
Palpation
Temperature - start at top, back of hands
Capillary refill on end of hallux, press for 5, should be <2
AAA - check pulse, press on stomach may be uncomfortable, push down when breathe out, pulsatile not expansile
If expansile then place thumb and middle finger over top with 1 hand and will go out
Femoral pulse - midpoint between AIIS and PS, show you are finding them
Popliteal pulse - relax hamstrings by shaking knee, bend slightly, feel pulse with index fingers, not obvious, if prominent = aneurysm
Dorsalis pedis = between 1st adn 2nd metatarsal heads
Posterior Tibial = compare both sides
Can find out where blockage may be according to where pulses stop going from top to bottom
What else would you suggest doing in completion?
ABPI
CV Exam
Examining venous system
