How do you read tourniquet test?

The tourniquet test is a clinical assessment used to evaluate capillary fragility and the tendency to bleed. To perform the test, a tourniquet or a blood pressure cuff is applied to the upper arm, inflated to a certain pressure, and left in place for a few minutes. After releasing it, the skin is examined for petechiae or purpura; the presence of these small red or purple spots indicates increased capillary fragility, which may suggest disorders such as thrombocytopenia or vascular issues. A negative result, with no petechiae, indicates normal capillary integrity.