Definition: Capillary refill is a simple test used to assess the adequacy of blood flow to the skin. It is performed by pressing on a nail bed or other capillary bed and observing how quickly the color returns after the pressure is released. Normally, capillary refill should occur within 2 seconds.
Importance: Capillary refill is an important clinical sign because it can help to identify conditions that affect blood flow, such as shock, dehydration, and sepsis. It can also be used to assess the severity of these conditions.
