After applying a sling, what should you recheck?

• A. Circulation (feeling and warmth)
• B. Blood pressure
• C. Room temperature
• D. Color of the wall

Answer: (A)

After placing a sling, the most important thing to recheck is circulation to the injured arm. Look for feeling and warmth in the hand and fingers, and observe the color and how quickly color returns when you press on a fingernail (capillary refill). These signs show whether blood is still flowing properly despite the immobilization. The sling can tighten as swelling develops or irritate vessels, so rechecking helps catch problems early and guides if you need to loosen the sling or seek further care. Blood pressure, room temperature, or the color of the wall aren’t indicators of the limb’s perfusion and don’t help assess the limb after a sling. If you notice numbness, tingling, pale or bluish color, or coolness, reassess the sling and seek medical help as needed.