Which of the following is NOT part of the 6Ps?

• A. Pulse
• B. Pallor
• C. Paralysis
• D. Pressure

Answer: (D)

The six Ps describe signs of neurovascular compromise in a limb: Pain, Pallor, Paresthesias, Paralysis, Pulselessness, and Poikilothermia. Pressure is not part of this set. The limb is assessed for tissue perfusion, and the pertinent sign is the absence of arterial flow, which is captured by pulselessness rather than the presence of a pulse. So the option referring to pressure doesn’t fit the mnemonic. The other signs—pallor and paralysis—are authentic components, and the idea behind pulse relates to whether a pulse is present (opposite of pulselessness) rather than being a separate sign.