Which set lists the five P's of compartment syndrome correctly?

Which set lists the five P's of compartment syndrome correctly?

• A. Paresthesia, Pain, Pressure, Pallor, Pulselessness
• B. Pain, Pallor, Paresthesia, Pulselessness, Pressure
• C. Pain, Paresthesia, Pressure, Pallor, Pulselessness
• D. Pallor, Pain, Pressure, Paresthesia, Pulselessness

Answer: (A)

Recognizing compartment syndrome hinges on signs that reflect rising pressure inside a muscle compartment and the resulting ischemia to nerves and blood vessels. Pain is the earliest red flag—severe, out of proportion to exam and worsened by passive stretch. Paresthesia signals nerve irritation from the reduced blood flow. Pressure points to the elevated compartment pressure itself, the underlying problem. Pallor shows diminished perfusion, a later sign, and pulselessness indicates critically reduced blood flow, a late finding. The set listed—Paresthesia, Pain, Pressure, Pallor, Pulselessness—includes the key elements clinicians watch for: the sensory change, the hallmark severe pain, the elevated pressure, and the progressive perfusion/nerve impairment signs. This ordering mirrors how symptoms typically evolve and guides urgent assessment and intervention. Some texts swap in paralysis for one of the other signs, but the combination shown aligns with the common signs used to identify compartment syndrome quickly.

Recognizing compartment syndrome hinges on signs that reflect rising pressure inside a muscle compartment and the resulting ischemia to nerves and blood vessels. Pain is the earliest red flag—severe, out of proportion to exam and worsened by passive stretch. Paresthesia signals nerve irritation from the reduced blood flow. Pressure points to the elevated compartment pressure itself, the underlying problem. Pallor shows diminished perfusion, a later sign, and pulselessness indicates critically reduced blood flow, a late finding.

The set listed—Paresthesia, Pain, Pressure, Pallor, Pulselessness—includes the key elements clinicians watch for: the sensory change, the hallmark severe pain, the elevated pressure, and the progressive perfusion/nerve impairment signs. This ordering mirrors how symptoms typically evolve and guides urgent assessment and intervention. Some texts swap in paralysis for one of the other signs, but the combination shown aligns with the common signs used to identify compartment syndrome quickly.