What should be assessed in circulation during patient assessment?

During a patient assessment, assessing circulation is crucial for understanding the perfusion and overall hemodynamic status of the patient. The presence of both carotid and radial pulses provides vital information about the effectiveness of the heart's pumping ability and can indicate blood flow throughout the body. Assessing capillary refill also offers insight into peripheral circulation and the adequacy of blood flow to the extremities. A normal capillary refill time indicates good circulation, while prolonged refill can suggest decreased perfusion or potential shock.

While blood pressure and heart rate are important metrics for circulatory assessment, they do not provide a complete picture of how well blood is circulating to the tissues. Solely focusing on the dorsal pedal pulse would not encompass the entire circulatory assessment needed, as it primarily evaluates blood flow to the lower extremities rather than overall circulation. Similarly, monitoring skin color and airways does not directly evaluate circulation, as these indicators are more related to respiratory status and general appearance.