What condition is often tested by the capillary refill time?

Capillary refill time is a clinical assessment tool primarily used to evaluate peripheral circulation. When assessing capillary refill, the healthcare provider presses on a patient's nail bed or skin until it blanches (loses color) and then observes how quickly the color returns after the pressure is released. A normal capillary refill time is typically less than two seconds in healthy adults, indicating good peripheral perfusion.

This assessment helps to identify potential circulatory issues, such as vascular obstruction, shock, or dehydration. Poor capillary refill times can be indicative of a compromised circulatory system, signifying that blood flow to the extremities is insufficient.

While other conditions like cardiovascular fitness may influence overall circulation, capillary refill is specifically a measure of how well blood is being delivered to the peripheral tissues, thus serving as a straightforward indicator of peripheral circulation health.