Peripheral vascular examination Flashcards
What is the introduction for a peripheral vascular examination?
- Wash hands
- PPE
- Introduce self
- Ask name and DOB.
- Explain the examination.
- Gain consent.
What comes after introduction?
General inspection.
What does general inspection entail? What kind of things are you looking for?
Inspect around the patient for equipment/walking aids.
Inspect the patient from the end of the bed:
- Colour (Pale, erythematous etc.)
- Build (thin, fat etc.)
- Comfort
What comes after general inspection?
Inspection of the hands.
What kinds of things are being looked for on inspection of the hands?
- Nicotine staining.
- Colour (peripheral cyanosis, pallor etc.)
What comes after inspection of the hands?
- Capillary refil.
How is capillary refill checked?
- Squeeze distal phalanx of patient for 5 seconds.
- Colour should return within 2 seconds of pressure being released.
What comes after capillary refill?
Upper limb pulse assessment.
How are the upper limb pulses assessed?
- Check both radial pulses individually. (Rate, rhythm and character).
- Check for radio-radial delay.
- Check both ulner pulses.
- Check both brachial pulses.
- Perform an Allen’s test.
- Check BP in both arms.
What comes after upper limb pulse assessment?
Carotid assessment.
How are the carotid pulses assessed?
- Assess the carotid pulses ONE AT A TIME. To assess rate rhythm and character.
What comes after carotid pulse assessment?
- Examination of the face.
What kind of things are being looked for on facial examination?
Eyes:
- Subconjunctival pallor.
- Corneal arcus (hyperlipidaemia).
Mouth:
- Dehydration.
- Central cyanosis.
What comes after inspection of the face?
Inspection of the abdomen.
What is looked for when inspecting the abdomen?
- Scars
- Visible pulsations.
- Visible masses.