Which components constitute a neurovascular check of an injured limb?

• A. Distal pulse, motor function, and sensation; compare to the uninjured limb and reassess after immobilization.
• B. Only check blood pressure and heart rate.
• C. Check temperature and weight-bearing ability.
• D. Assess gait on the injured limb.

Answer: (A)

Assessing neurovascular status hinges on three elements: perfusion, nerve function, and motor function in the distal part of the limb. Distal pulses tell you whether blood is still reaching the area beyond the injury, which is crucial for healing and avoiding ischemia. Comparing those findings to the uninjured limb provides a baseline, so you can detect even small changes after swelling or splinting. Motor function shows how well the nerves that control movement are working—have the person wiggle their toes or fingers, or move the ankle or wrist as appropriate. Sensation checks whether the sensory nerves are intact by testing light touch or pinprick in the limb’s distal regions; altered or lost sensation can indicate nerve injury.

The other options don’t capture this focused check. General vital signs like blood pressure and heart rate don’t reveal limb-specific perfusion or nerve integrity. Temperature and weight-bearing ability can give clues but aren’t core measures of neurovascular status. Gait assessment isn’t applicable in the immediate limb check and can be misleading when the limb is immobilized or painful.