capillary refill time
(redirected from nail refill test)capillary refill time
A rapid clinical test for assessing blood flow through peripheral tissues.Normal
A squeezed nail bed will usually return to a pink colour in 2 seconds.
Abnormal
Dehydration, hypothermia, peripheral vascular disease, shock.
Method
Pressure is applied to the nail bed until it turns white (blanches), and pressure is then removed; nail bed “pinking” indicates that blood has reflowed into the capillaries.