In which condition is a nurse likely to assess for alterations in capillary refill and central versus peripheral pulse disparities?

Assessing alterations in capillary refill and central versus peripheral pulse disparities is notably associated with fluid volume deficit (FVD). When a patient experiences FVD, the body enters a state of compensatory mechanisms to maintain perfusion and oxygen delivery to vital organs. This can lead to peripheral vasoconstriction, which might result in a slow capillary refill time as blood flow is diverted to maintain central circulation. Additionally, with significant fluid loss, there could be discrepancies in pulse quality, where peripheral pulses may be weak or diminished compared to central pulses, indicating decreased perfusion in the extremities.

In contrast, fluid volume excess (FVE) might manifest with features like swelling and bounding pulses rather than discrepancies between central and peripheral pulses. Conditions like infiltration and phlebitis generally relate to the complications at the site of intravenous access and do not typically affect systemic capillary refill or the differences in peripheral and central pulses. Thus, FVD is most directly linked with the assessment of these circulatory indicators.