Why Test Capillary Refill?

The capillary nail refill test is a quick test done on the nail beds. It is used to monitor dehydration and the amount of blood flow to tissue.

What does poor capillary refill indicate?

Mucous Membranes

Normal membranes are pink with a capillary refill time of <2 seconds. Membrane pallor suggests poor perfusion or anemia (evaluate for intestinal parasitism, especially hookworm infection). Pallor and prolonged refill time suggest heart failure or reduced blood pressure with reactive vasoconstriction.

What is the significance of an abnormal capillary refill time?

A capillary refill time of three seconds or more should be considered abnormal. The results show that an abnormal CRT of 3 seconds or more increases the likelihood of a serious outcome including death and dehydration – however a normal CRT does not make a serious outcome less likely.