A patient presents to an emergency room after trauma to his left lower limb. Which of the following is the most important P of the 6 Ps that are used to assess the severity of trauma to an extremity?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most important of the 6 Ps (pain, paralysis, pallor, parasthesia, pulselessness, and poikilothermia)is paralysis because it indicates a non-viable limb. Pain is absent in 20% of cases because of prompt onset of anesthesia and paralysis. Pallor is replaced by mottling and cyanosis within a few hours. Parasthesia is an early sign of trauma. Do not expect all of the 6 Ps to be present, and do not rely on assessment of pulses.

A Patient Presents to an Emergency Room After Trauma to His