Which term is not part of the traditional five P's of compartment syndrome?

Which term is not part of the traditional five P's of compartment syndrome?

• A. Pulsation
• B. Paresthesia
• C. Pain
• D. Pallor

Answer: (C)

The signs used to describe compartment syndrome are Pain, Pressure, Pallor, Paresthesia, and Pulselessness. Pulsation is not part of those traditional five signs. A pulse can still be felt even as pressure rises in a compartment, so its presence is not a reliable early indicator of the condition. The hallmark is severe pain out of proportion to exam, with pain often worsened by passive movement; paresthesia indicates nerve involvement, pallor reflects reduced perfusion, and pulselessness tends to be a late finding. So the term not included in the classic five P’s is pulsation.

The signs used to describe compartment syndrome are Pain, Pressure, Pallor, Paresthesia, and Pulselessness. Pulsation is not part of those traditional five signs. A pulse can still be felt even as pressure rises in a compartment, so its presence is not a reliable early indicator of the condition. The hallmark is severe pain out of proportion to exam, with pain often worsened by passive movement; paresthesia indicates nerve involvement, pallor reflects reduced perfusion, and pulselessness tends to be a late finding. So the term not included in the classic five P’s is pulsation.