Which capillary refill time is generally considered normal?

Which capillary refill time is generally considered normal?

• A. Less than 2 seconds
• B. 3-4 seconds
• C. More than 5 seconds
• D. 10 seconds

Answer: (A)

Capillary refill time is a quick bedside check of peripheral perfusion. To test it, press on a nail bed until it blanches, then release and observe how long it takes for color to return. A normal refill time is generally under two seconds. Times longer than that—such as three to four seconds or more—suggest reduced perfusion and potential shock or dehydration, while very long times (five seconds or more, or ten seconds) are clearly abnormal. In this question, the under-two-second result is the normal finding.

Capillary refill time is a quick bedside check of peripheral perfusion. To test it, press on a nail bed until it blanches, then release and observe how long it takes for color to return. A normal refill time is generally under two seconds. Times longer than that—such as three to four seconds or more—suggest reduced perfusion and potential shock or dehydration, while very long times (five seconds or more, or ten seconds) are clearly abnormal. In this question, the under-two-second result is the normal finding.