Peripheral Vascular

Equipment Needed

• Stethoscope
• Doppler (if needed)
• Tape measure

What to Say to the Patient

• "I'm going to check the circulation and pulses in your arms and legs."

Inspection Steps

• Skin color, hair distribution
• Edema
• Varicosities
• Ulcers

Palpation Steps

• Radial, brachial, femoral, popliteal, dorsalis pedis, posterior tibial pulses (0-4+ scale)
• Capillary refill
• Edema (pitting scale)

Auscultation Steps

• Auscultate for bruits over carotid, abdominal aorta, femoral arteries

Normal Findings

• Pulses 2+ and symmetric
• No edema
• Cap refill <2 sec

Abnormal Findings

• Diminished/absent pulses
• Pitting edema
• Bruits
• Varicosities/venous stasis changes

Common Mistakes

• Not comparing bilaterally
• Skipping distal pulses
• Not grading edema

Documentation Example

Pulses 2+ and symmetric throughout. No edema, cyanosis, or clubbing. Cap refill <2 sec bilaterally.