What is the expected finding when assessing capillary refill time?

• A. The blanched area should refill quickly, indicating good perfusion
• B. The blanched area should never refill
• C. The skin should turn pale after release
• D. Refill time should be delayed after cold exposure

Answer: (A)

Capillary refill time is a quick bedside check of peripheral perfusion. To perform it, you press on a blanched area (like the nail bed) until it loses color, then release and watch how fast color returns. A normal finding is rapid refill, usually under about 2 seconds in children, which indicates good perfusion and adequate circulatory status. If the color takes longer to return, that suggests reduced perfusion—possible dehydration, hypovolemia, or circulatory compromise. It should not be correct that the area never refills or that it should stay pale after release. Cold exposure can slow refill, but the typical, expected finding in a routine assessment is quick refill.