Prelim: Module 3

Capillary Fragility
Test

Objectives:
1. Properly enumerate the steps in specimen collection
2. Identify the different complications observed during specimen collection

Principle:
An inflated sphygmomanometer cuff/tourniquet on the upper arm is used to apply pressure to
the capillaries for 5 minutes. The arm is then examined for petechiae

Materials:
Sphygmomanometer cuff Tourniquet

Procedure:
1. Prepare the equipments
2. Locate the preferred site of choice

3. With a blood pressure cu ff, apply 100 mmHg pressure to the upper arm

4. Maintain pressure for 5 minutes

5. Release the cuff, and after 2 minutes, make the final reading
6. Examine the arm, and count the number of petechiae

7. Grade the petechiae formation:

+1 = A few petechiae on the anterior part of the forearm
+2 = Many petechiae on the anterior part of the forearm
+3 = Multiple petechiae over the whole arm and back of the hand
+4 = Confluent petechiae on the arm and back of the hand

• >5 Petechiae = POSITIVE in adult male

• >10 Petechiae = POSITIVE in adult female and children

Activity
1. In a table form, enumerate the other methods of CFT with brief decription.

Methods Description

Intradermal Venom Test Peck, Rosenthal, and Erf (26) described the venom test
wherein 0.1 to 0.2 cc. of standardized moccasin snake venom
is injected intradermally. One hour later a small ecchymosis
appears at the injection site if the test is positive.

Suction Test This method is a negative pressure technique where a suction

cup is placed on the chosen site. The cup is left there for 30 to
60 seconds while maintaining a negative pressure. Then, the
number of petechiae in the area is counted.

Gothlin’s Test A Method of Establishing the Vitamin C Standard and

Requirements of Physically Healthy Individuals by Testing the
Strength of their Cutaneous Capillaries

Rumpel-Leede’s Test the positive pressure technique, commonly called the Rumpel-
Leede's test, which involves partial occlusion of the circulation
of an extremity. In most instances a blood pressure cuff is
applied to the upper arm for a given period of time

Fine needle prick In 1890 Koch (25) described a method wherein a fine needle
was inserted into the fingertip. If there was increased capillary
fragility a small subcutaneous hemorrhage would be visible the
following day.

Pinch Method This test involves pinching the skin on the back of the hand
 or forearm and observing the appearance of petechiae. This
method is less reliable than the tourniquet test, as the
amount of pressure applied can vary.
Vacuum Method This method involves applying a vacuum to the skin using a
glass tube, resulting in the formation of petechiae if the
capillaries are fragile.
Cellophane Tape Test In this method, a piece of cellophane tape is applied to the
skin and then removed. The appearance of petechiae on the
skin under the tape is indicative of capillary fragility.
Nail Bed Test This test involves pressing on the nail bed with a glass slide
or other blunt object to assess capillary refill time.
Prolonged capillary refill time can indicate capillary
fragility.

REFERENCES:

Perry, D. & Linden, I. (2015, November 11). Studies of Methods of Determining Capillary
Fragility. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/82680038.pdf

Hines, L. E., & Parker, R. J. (n.d.). THE EFFECT OF ASCORBIC ACID ON CAPILLARY
FRAGILITY . Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3802915/pdf/QBullNorthwestUnivMedSch-23-4-
424_76.pdf