Peripheral venous examination

Question 1

What is involved in the Peripheral venous examination?

Answer 1

Vital signs
Blood pressure
Observation
Palpation

Question 2

What do we access with vital signs?

Answer 2

Access pulse at : Wrist (radial artery), brachial artery, Neck (Carotid artery)
Breathing (BPM)
Temperature

Question 3

What is the process of blood pressure?

Answer 3

Find estimation of systole? (Osculatory gap)
Place bell over artery to the estimated range
Very slowly release until you can hear heart beat = systole Keep slowly releasing and when the heart rate can’t be heard = diastole

Question 4

What are we looking for in observation of the patient?

Answer 4

Inspect the entire limb (upper or lower) noting
Skin colour, Venous pattern/filling, limb size and symmetry

Question 5

What are we looking for in the skin colour?

Answer 5

Darker red/bluish purple - Venous stasis or venous dermatitis due to venous obstruction

Brown pigmentation - Indicated iron deposition in the skin caused by small bleeds to the skin (chronic venous stasis)

Question 6

What are we looking for in venous pattern/filling?

Answer 6

Prominent veins indicate acute or chronic venous obstruction
Varicose veins caused by the failure of valves in the communicating veins

Question 7

What are abnormalities in limb size and symmetry?

Answer 7

Enlarged limb may be due to pitting oedema caused by acute/chronic venous obstruction

Increased limb circumference may be due to acute (DVT) or chronic venous obstruction

Question 8

What is involved in the palpation segment of the PVE?

Answer 8

Palpate for presence of;
Calf tenderness
Palpable cords

Question 9

What may abnormal palpation findings indicate?

Answer 9

Presence of DVT