CLINICAL SKILLS UNIT

EDUCATIONAL LOOPS

BY

CHSE

Revise the anatomy of the groin

Anterior superior iliac spine

Pubic tubercle

Inguinal ligament

Femoral vessels and canal

Inguinal and femoral lymph nodes

Thigh crease

Review how you palpated groin nodes for palpation of artery

Anterior superior iliac spine

Pubic tubercle

Inguinal ligament

Femoral artery, above the thigh crease

Remember the right pressure

Check against the patient’s radial pulse!!

THE POPLITEAL ARTERY, ITS THERE, BUT WE EXPECT YOU TO FIND IT FIRST IN GEMP YEAR 3 AND 4!!

This artery is recognised to be difficult to find and more important for the GCE is the presence or absence of more distal pulses, such as the dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial arteries.

DORSALIS PEDIS ARTERY, A GOOD INDICATOR OF PERIPHERAL PERFUSION

Mid-way between great toe cleft and ankle joint

Light pressure with three finger pulps to catch the pulse

Patients foot must be warm (WHY?)

Try a little exercise to increase the pulsation if necessary

POSTERIOR TIBIAL NEEDS A LITTLE MORE CARE

Note the foot position, but not too tense

Palpate just behind the medial malleolus

Start almost below and come proximally

Move the finger pulps lightly and slowly back and forth until you feel the pulse

Once felt always found!!