Before PCI, marking pulse points distal to the insertion site serves what purpose?

Before PCI, marking pulse points distal to the insertion site serves what purpose?

• A. Determine hydration status
• B. Assess limb perfusion and detect occlusion risk
• C. Estimate blood pressure
• D. Check liver function

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is monitoring limb perfusion to catch arterial flow problems early. Before PCI, marking pulses distal to the insertion site gives a clear reference for how well blood is reaching the downstream tissues of the limb. If a sheath or catheter causes occlusion, spasm, or compression, the distal pulse may weaken or disappear. By having that marked baseline, clinicians can quickly detect changes during and after the procedure and act promptly to restore flow, reducing the risk of limb ischemia.

This isn’t about hydration status, estimating blood pressure, or liver function. Those are separate assessments. Distal pulse marking is specifically about ensuring the limb remains well perfused after arterial access.