Neurovascular assessment

The ability to carry out a neurovascular assessment on a patient's limb is an important skill for all registered nurses. All nurses, whether working in primary or acute care environments, are exposed to patients who have sustained injury or trauma to a limb or have a cast or restrictive bandages in place. The ability to detect a compromised limb through careful observation enables prompt referral and subsequent treatment, which may otherwise result in a permanent deficit. This article discusses the importance of undertaking neurovascular observations providing a step-by-step guide for the reader.