Definition & Operational Usage
Capillary refill time (CRT) is the time it takes for color to return to an external capillary bed after pressure is applied to cause blanching. It is commonly assessed by pressing on a fingernail or the skin and observing how quickly normal color returns, typically within 2 seconds in healthy individuals.
Category context: Patient care, assessment, interventions, triage, and EMS system terms commonly used by firefighter/medics.
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