Final answer:
To assess capillary refill time, a nurse palpates the skin to produce a slight blanching and measures the time for color to return, which should normally be 2 seconds or less.
Step-by-step explanation:
To assess a child's capillary refill time, a nurse uses the following method: by palpating the skin to produce a slight blanching. The nurse applies gentle pressure to the child's fingertip or toe to blanch the nail bed and then releases the pressure. The time it takes for the color to return to the blanched area is the capillary refill time.
A normal capillary refill time is typically considered to be 2 seconds or less. This assessment can indicate the efficiency of the peripheral circulation and may aid in diagnosing conditions related to poor perfusion or dehydration.