Which sign indicates poor perfusion in a child in shock?

Which sign indicates poor perfusion in a child in shock?

• A. Delayed capillary refill
• B. Warm extremities
• C. Rapid capillary refill
• D. Weak distal pulses

Answer: (A)

When a child is in shock, finding signs that reflect poor blood flow to the tissues is crucial. Capillary refill time is a quick bedside measure of peripheral perfusion. If pressing on a nail bed or fingertip causes blanching and the color returns slowly, taking longer than about 2 seconds, this indicates inadequate systemic blood flow and tissue perfusion—a sign of poor perfusion in shock. This is why delayed capillary refill is the best choice rooted in assessing how well blood is reaching the skin and extremities. Warm extremities suggest adequate perfusion or vasodilation in some shock states, not poor perfusion. Rapid capillary refill points to normal perfusion, and weak distal pulses can indicate reduced blood flow but are less direct and can be influenced by other factors; the most specific sign among the options is the delayed capillary refill.

When a child is in shock, finding signs that reflect poor blood flow to the tissues is crucial. Capillary refill time is a quick bedside measure of peripheral perfusion. If pressing on a nail bed or fingertip causes blanching and the color returns slowly, taking longer than about 2 seconds, this indicates inadequate systemic blood flow and tissue perfusion—a sign of poor perfusion in shock. This is why delayed capillary refill is the best choice rooted in assessing how well blood is reaching the skin and extremities.

Warm extremities suggest adequate perfusion or vasodilation in some shock states, not poor perfusion. Rapid capillary refill points to normal perfusion, and weak distal pulses can indicate reduced blood flow but are less direct and can be influenced by other factors; the most specific sign among the options is the delayed capillary refill.