What it means
The feeling of turbulent blood flow. Over a dialysis fistula or graft, a thrill is normal and shows that blood is flowing through it; the matching whooshing sound heard with a stethoscope is a bruit. Over the heart, a thrill can be felt with a loud murmur.
For the nurse
Feel for the thrill and listen for the bruit over a dialysis access every shift; report if either is missing. Do not take blood pressures, draw blood or start IVs in that arm.
At a glance
| Also written | thrills |
|---|
Related terms
dialysis
A treatment that removes wastes and extra fluid from the blood when the kidneys can no longer do it.
auscultation
Listening to the sounds inside the body, usually with a stethoscope.
palpation
Examining the body by touching and pressing with the hands and fingers.