Question

A nurse is evaluating the circulation of a patient who has a bandage over a deep lower leg wound. What should the nurse check to assess circulation?

1 The toes
2 Leg mobility
3 Wound drainage
4 Numbness
5 Capillary refill

Answer 1

To evaluate circulation in a patient with a bandaged leg wound, the nurse should assess toe warmth, leg mobility, wound drainage, numbness, and capillary refill.

Step-by-step explanation:

To assess circulation in a patient who has a bandage over a deep lower leg wound, a nurse should check toe warmth, leg mobility, wound drainage, numbness, and capillary refill. These assessments provide insight into whether blood is flowing adequately to the affected area, which is crucial for healing and the prevention of complications such as infection or tissue necrosis.

• Toe warmth indicates if blood is reaching the distal extremities.
• Leg mobility can suggest if swelling or tight bandaging is impairing circulation.
• Observing wound drainage can help determine if there is an infection that might affect circulation.
• Checking for numbness helps identify nerve or vascular damage.
• Capillary refill, assessed by pressing on the patient's toenail until it turns white and timing how quickly the pink color returns when pressure is released, is a direct measure of the effectiveness of blood circulation.