In CMS assessment, which checks are performed?

• A. Circulation, Motor, Sensory check before and after splinting
• B. Pulse, Motor, Sensory evaluation
• C. Temperature, Pain, and Sensation assessment
• D. Circulation, Temperature, Pain evaluation

Answer: (A)

The main idea is to assess limb viability and function using the three CMS components: Circulation, Motor, and Sensory. In CMS assessment you check circulation to gauge blood flow (look for pulses, skin color and temperature, capillary refill), motor function to see if the limb can move and respond, and sensory function to detect sensation such as touch or pain perception. Doing these checks before splinting establishes a baseline for how the limb was, and repeating them after splinting helps you detect any new problems caused by the splint, like reduced blood flow or nerve impact.

That’s why this option is the best—it explicitly includes Circulation, Motor, and Sensory checks and notes performing them before and after splinting. Other choices mix in or substitute elements not all part of the CMS triad—Pulse is a part of circulation but the standard focus is on Circulation as a domain, while Temperature and Pain alone don’t cover the full CMS assessment, and some options omit one of the essential components.