CMS-Circulation, Motion, Sensation

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Why would you do a CMS assessment? What are you looking for? Why is it important to do this assessment, when do you do this assessment? Please site sources or tell me where you find this information. There is hardly any info on google re: it. It is all about medicare and medicaid? Thanks

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

For example, if a pt. has a cast placed proximally you would want to assess neurovascular function which would include circulation and not color. Whether or not the fingers have capillary refill or if a pulse is present distal to the cast, or in the case that someone has trauma and you are doing a neurovascular assessment to make sure they are not developing compartment syndrome. In which case color and temperature are moot points, you would be testing for circulation first. However, if the extremity was cyanotic and cold to touch this is indicative that circulation is impaired, but the hospitals I've worked at it was related directly to circulation (ie. if pulses are present or not and the grade of the pulses if palpable or heard via doppler or capillary refill being

(for restraint application): "CMTS intact in all 4 extremities distal to restraint application; pt able to move fingers with full ROM of bilateral wrists and bilateral feet; unable to abduct arms and legs secondary to restraint application, no c/o pain or irritation at restraint site per pt."

(for right shoulder injury): "CMTS intact distal to R shoulder injury with CMTS equal in bliateral upper extremities".

(for right forearm fx): "CMTS compromised in R forearm distal to injury site; color pale, decreased ROM, skin cool, and decreased sensation noted in affected extremity when compared to L arm".

(for R leg cellulitis): "CMTS altered in R lower extremity: skin reddened, decreased ROM noted, skin hot to touch; pt c/o altered sensation ("tingling") upon palpation, pedal pulses +2 bilaterally. CMTS intact in L lower extremity".

It is important to know in spinal cord injury, end organ perfusion/cap refill, circulation/occlusion. Cast application to ensure circulation is intact, compartment syndrome from swelling and injury, distal circulation after line placement or procedure sheath removla.

There are many resaons why you want to know if someon has a pulse, sensation and motion intact.

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Try searching for either PMS (pulse, motor, sensation) or neuromuscular assessment.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

If you spell out the acronym, google returns the correct results.

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Specializes in Med Surg.
irishferns said:
Why would you do a CMS assessment? What are you looking for? Why is it important to do this assessment, when do you do this assessment? Please site sources or tell me where you find this information. There is hardly any info on google re: it. It is all about medicare and medicaid? Thanks

This information is easily found in my Fundamentals textbook.

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Please understand this. I am not sure exactly why you asked your question. But you need to take the opportunity as a nursing student to do CMS's checks on basic, boring, routine, patients who logically, honestly, really don't need it. As in why am I checking pedal or brachial pulses on a healthy 22 year old male who had uncomplicated hernia surgery? Honestly it would be really really rare that you note any significant findings.

Learn to find pedal pulses, (not always easy), learn to find the brachial pulse (not always easy), learn to find the popliteal pulse (not always easy.) Learn what normal healthy extremities, their sensation, motion, and circulation look and feel like on all your patients.

Becoming good at checking 100's of normal healthy patient's CMS is critical towards noting the abnormal CMS, "yes there is a problem here and I found it" patient.

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Really? Maybe under Neuro? Not CMS?

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Thank you very much for your input!

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Love your quotes! Thank you so much for all your input. I have been googling CMS and everything was medicare/medicaid. I spell it out finally and get much needed info! This really helps, thank you for taking the time to respond!

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Way to help ArtClass :) I have read all that.We are on here to help each other. It is okay to share info and experience with your fellow nurses/ students! Come on, where's the love?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
irishferns said:
Way to help ArtClass ? I have read all that.We are on here to help each other. It is okay to share info and experience with your fellow nurses/ students! Come on, where's the love?

I couldn't have said it better myself. This is the forum for students to ask questions and come for help. While I advocate for students to show me their work first...I will bend over backwards to help anyone .

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Thank you so much Esme12!

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