What is considered a normal capillary refill time in adults and in infants/children?

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Multiple Choice

What is considered a normal capillary refill time in adults and in infants/children?

Capillary refill time is a quick check of peripheral perfusion. You press on the nail bed until it blanches, then release and time how long color takes to return. In healthy adults it should be under 2 seconds, and the same <2-second threshold is used for infants and children in standard clinical assessment. If it takes longer than about 2 seconds, perfusion may be reduced due to dehydration, shock, or hypothermia, though readings can be influenced by temperature, lighting, pressure applied, and nail polish. So the normal value for both groups is less than 2 seconds.

Capillary refill time is a quick check of peripheral perfusion. You press on the nail bed until it blanches, then release and time how long color takes to return. In healthy adults it should be under 2 seconds, and the same <2-second threshold is used for infants and children in standard clinical assessment. If it takes longer than about 2 seconds, perfusion may be reduced due to dehydration, shock, or hypothermia, though readings can be influenced by temperature, lighting, pressure applied, and nail polish. So the normal value for both groups is less than 2 seconds.

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