The most frequently used skill in the physical nursing assessment is:

A. Peripheral pulses that can be assessed include brachial, radial, ulnar, femoral, popliteal, dorsalis pedis, and posterior tibial. – These are key arterial pulse points used to assess circulation and vascular health.

B. Assess the radial pulse rate by counting the pulsations for 60 seconds. – Counting for a full minute provides the most accurate heart rate measurement, especially if irregularities are present.

C. On a person with good cardiac function and distal perfusion, capillary refill should take less than 6 seconds. – Normal capillary refill time (CRT) is ≤2 seconds. A refill time >2 seconds suggests poor perfusion.

D. The strength of the pulse can be measured using the following scale: 0, 1+, 2+, and 3+. –. The standard pulse grading scale ranges from 0 to 4+.

A. Edema. – Edema refers to fluid buildup in the interstitial spaces, leading to swelling in tissues. It can be caused by conditions such as heart failure, kidney disease, or inflammation.

B. Ecchymosis. – Ecchymosis refers to bruising caused by blood leakage into subcutaneous tissue, not fluid accumulation.

C. Pallor. – Pallor describes an abnormal pale appearance of the skin, often due to anemia or shock, rather than fluid accumulation.

D. Erythematosis. – Erythematosis is associated with redness and inflammation, not fluid retention.