circulation, motion, sensation


circulation, motion, sensation

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CMS

An assessment of the neurological and vascular health of a body part; specifically, of its capillary refill, pulses, motor function, and sense of touch. Serial assessments of CMS are particularly important to perform in certain clinical settings, such as in patients with progressive or rapidly changing neurological diseases, or in patients who have have vascular or endovascular surgery. Patients with compromised arterial blood flow to a limb, for example, may have pale or dusky extremities with delayed return of color after pressure is applied to the skin. Another example: patients with diabetic neuropathy may have diminished proprioception, or decreased awareness of vibration and light touch in their feet and sometimes their hands.