When assessing for a thrill in an internal access, what are you checking for?

When assessing for a thrill in an internal access, you are primarily checking for good blood flow. A thrill is a palpable vibration that you can feel over an arteriovenous (AV) fistula or graft. This sensation indicates that blood is flowing freely through the access site, which is essential for effective dialysis. A positive thrill suggests that the access is functioning properly, ensuring adequate blood flow for the removal of waste products from the blood during treatment.

The absence of a thrill might indicate potential issues with the access, such as clotting or stenosis, which could compromise the dialysis process. Therefore, monitoring for a thrill is an important part of assessing the functionality and patency of an internal access for dialysis.