Capillary refill time is assessed by what method?

Capillary refill time is assessed by what method?

• A. By pressing lightly on the skin to produce blanching and noting refill time
• B. By measuring skin temperature
• C. By observing capillary bed color change without pressure
• D. By testing skin turgor

Answer: (A)

Capillary refill time evaluates peripheral perfusion by briefly blanching the capillary bed with gentle pressure and then timing how quickly color returns once the pressure is released. The pressure pushes blood out of the small vessels; when you release, the vessels refill and color reappears, and how fast that happens indicates how well blood is flowing through the capillaries. A normal refill is typically under about 2 seconds. This method specifically measures how quickly perfusion resumes after blanching, not general temperature or hydration status, which is why pressing lightly on a nail bed or similar capillary-rich site to observe refill is correct. Measuring skin temperature isn’t the same test, observing color without pressure doesn’t assess refill time, and skin turgor evaluates hydration rather than perfusion.

Capillary refill time evaluates peripheral perfusion by briefly blanching the capillary bed with gentle pressure and then timing how quickly color returns once the pressure is released. The pressure pushes blood out of the small vessels; when you release, the vessels refill and color reappears, and how fast that happens indicates how well blood is flowing through the capillaries. A normal refill is typically under about 2 seconds. This method specifically measures how quickly perfusion resumes after blanching, not general temperature or hydration status, which is why pressing lightly on a nail bed or similar capillary-rich site to observe refill is correct. Measuring skin temperature isn’t the same test, observing color without pressure doesn’t assess refill time, and skin turgor evaluates hydration rather than perfusion.