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Nail blanch test

Nail blanch test

Overview

The nail blanch test, also called the capillary nail refill test, is performed on the nail beds as an indicator of tissue perfusion (the amount of blood flow to tissue) and dehydration.

Review Date 6/20/2023

Updated by: Jacob Berman, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.