Assessment and prioritization
Six Ps
Pain, Pallor, Paresthesia, Pulselessness, Paralysis, Poikilothermia
The signs of compromised circulation in a limb, taught for compartment syndrome and for checks after casting or vascular procedures. Not the same list as the Five Ps of labour.
What each letter stands for
- 1 Pain — often out of proportion and worse with passive stretch.
- 2 Pallor — pale colour.
- 3 Paresthesia — pins and needles, altered sensation.
- 4 Pulselessness — a late sign.
- 5 Paralysis — a late sign.
- 6 Poikilothermia — the limb takes the temperature of its surroundings.
How it gets tested
Tested as the assessment set for a cast or an injured limb, and as which signs are early versus late. The Five Ps (labour) is the deliberate distractor.
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What does six ps mean?
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