Peripheral Vascular Examination

Question 1

What do you inspect the patient for in a peripheral vascular exam

Answer 1

Cyanosis

Missing limbs

Question 2

What are you assessing in the upper limbs in a peripheral vascular exam

Answer 2

Temperature
Capillary refill
Radial pulse
Radio-radial delay
Brachial pulse
Blood pressure

Question 3

What are you assessing in the carotid pulse in a peripheral vascular exam

Answer 3

Auscultate carotid pulse

Palpate carotid pulse

Question 4

What are you assessing in the abdomen in a peripheral vascular exam

Answer 4

Inspect abdomen for visible palpitation
Palpate the aorta
Auscultate aorta and renal arteries

Question 5

What are you assessing in the lower limbs in a peripheral vascular exam

Answer 5

Temperature
Capillary refill
Palpate femoral pulse
Assess radio-femoral delay
Auscultate femoral pulse
Palpate popliteal pulse
Palpate posterior tibial pulse
Palpate dorsalis pedis pulse
Assess gross peripheral sensation

Question 6

How do you complete Buergers test in a peripheral vascular exam

Answer 6

Patient supine, raise their legs to 45 degrees for 1-2 minutes
Observe colour of legs
Swing over the side of the bed and observe colour change

Question 7

What further tests could you perform after a peripheral vascular exam

Answer 7

Cardiovascular exams
Peripheral neural exams
ABPI