4.Conduct a physical examination of the lower extremities. a.Assess functional ability.
b.Determine perfusion status by assessing skin temperature, capillary refill, venous refill, color changes and presence of paresthesias.
c.Determine presence or absence of pedal pulses. Palpate both dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulses of each lower extremity. Presence of palpable pulses does not rule out lower extremity arterial disease nor does absence of pulses indicate arterial disease, especially in presence of edema. Level of Evidence = C