CLINICAL SKILLS UNIT EDUCATIONAL LOOPS BY CHSE

Revise the anatomy of the groin Anterior superior iliac spine Pubic tubercle Inguinal ligament Femoral vessels and canal Inguinal and femoral lymph nodes Thigh crease

Review how you palpated groin nodes for palpation of artery Anterior superior iliac spine Pubic tubercle Inguinal ligament Femoral artery, above the thigh crease Remember the right pressure Check against the patient’s radial pulse!!

THE POPLITEAL ARTERY, ITS THERE, BUT WE EXPECT YOU TO FIND IT FIRST IN GEMP YEAR 3 AND 4!! This artery is recognised to be difficult to find and more important for the GCE is the presence or absence of more distal pulses, such as the dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial arteries.

DORSALIS PEDIS ARTERY, A GOOD INDICATOR OF PERIPHERAL PERFUSION Mid-way between great toe cleft and ankle joint Light pressure with three finger pulps to catch the pulse Patients foot must be warm (WHY?) Try a little exercise to increase the pulsation if necessary

POSTERIOR TIBIAL NEEDS A LITTLE MORE CARE Note the foot position, but not too tense Palpate just behind the medial malleolus Start almost below and come proximally Move the finger pulps lightly and slowly back and forth until you feel the pulse Once felt always found!!