The nurse identifies which risk factors as contributing to the development of peripheral artery disease? Select all that apply.

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11ecbb05_c964_593f_b433_7fca9c629ccc_MD0009_00 In peripheral artery disease (PAD), the arteries of the extremities become atherosclerotic (progressive thickening and hardening due to chronic vascular damage). PAD reduces tissue perfusion and can cause ischemic pain of the lower extremities with movement or exercise (intermittent claudication). Pain with PAD can also occur at rest and manifests in the lower extremities as burning, aching, or numbness. Factors that cause chronic vascular changes and increase risk for PAD include: Hypertension: Vessel damage from chronically elevated vascular resistance Diabetes mellitus: Inflammatory vascular changes from hyperglycemia (Option B) Hyperlipidemia: Increased plaque formation (ie, atherosclerosis) (Option C) Smoking: Chronic vasoconstriction from nicotine inhalation (Option A) (Option D) Elevated estrogen levels (eg, oral contraceptive use, pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy) make blood hypercoagulable. However, elevated estrogen levels are more likely to form thrombi in veins than in arteries due to lower venous pressure and slower blood flow (eg, venous stasis). (Option E) Unlike chronic venous insufficiency, in which vessels ineffectively return blood from the feet to the central circulation, standing is not a risk factor for PAD, as standing facilitates blood flow by gravity to the lower extremities. Educational objective: In peripheral artery disease, arteries in the extremities become atherosclerotic (progressive thickening and hardening due to chronic damage). Peripheral tissue perfusion is impaired, causing pain with exercise (eg, intermittent claudication) and at rest. Risk factors include hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and smoking.

The Nurse Identifies Which Risk Factors as Contributing to the Development