How does a medic assess circulation in a casualty?

Assessing circulation in a casualty is a critical component of a medic's evaluation and involves multiple factors to determine the adequacy of blood flow and perfusion. The correct choice focuses on the assessment of pulse, capillary refill, and the temperature of extremities, which collectively provide a comprehensive understanding of circulatory status.

Checking the pulse allows the medic to determine the heart rate and rhythm, which are essential indicators of cardiac output. Capillary refill time is a quick method that reflects peripheral perfusion; a prolonged refill time can indicate shock or poor circulation. Assessing the temperature of the extremities helps infer blood flow—cold extremities may suggest inadequate circulation, whereas warm ones may indicate that circulation is intact.

The alternative choices do not encompass a thorough assessment of circulation. Monitoring respiratory rate provides information about breathing and ventilation but does not directly indicate circulatory status. Observing skin color alone offers limited insight since skin color can be affected by a variety of factors, and counting heartbeats over one minute, while related, does not include the essential evaluation of peripheral indicators like capillary refill and temperature. Therefore, the comprehensive approach of checking pulse, capillary refill, and temperature effectively ensures a more accurate assessment of circulation in a casualty.