Deck 30: Assessment and Management of Patients With Vascular Disorders and Problems of Peripheral Circulation

Question 1

The nurse is taking a health history of a new patient. The patient reports experiencing pain in his left lower leg and foot when walking. This pain is relieved with rest. The nurse notes that the left lower leg is slightly edematous and is hairless. When planning this patients subsequent care, the nurse should most likely address what health problem?

A) Coronary artery disease (CAD)
B) Intermittent claudication
C) Arterial embolus
D) Raynauds disease

Answer 1

Intermittent claudication

Question 2

While assessing a patient the nurse notes that the patients ankle-brachial index (ABI) of the right leg is 0.40 . How should the nurse best respond to this assessment finding?

A) Assess the patients use of over-the-counter dietary supplements.
B) Implement interventions relevant to arterial narrowing.
C) Encourage the patient to increase intake of foods high in vitamin $\mathrm{K}$ .
D) Adjust the patients activity level to accommodate decreased coronary output.

Answer 2

Implement interventions relevant to arterial narrowing.

Question 3

The nurse is providing care for a patient who has just been diagnosed with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD). What assessment finding is most consistent with this diagnosis?

A) Numbness and tingling in the distal extremities
B) Unequal peripheral pulses between extremities
C) Visible clubbing of the fingers and toes
D) Reddened extremities with muscle atrophy

Answer 3

Unequal peripheral pulses between extremities

Question 4

The nurse is admitting a 32-year-old woman to the presurgical unit. The nurse learns during the admission assessment that the patient takes oral contraceptives. Consequently, the nurses postoperative plan of care should include what intervention?

A) Early ambulation and leg exercises
B) Cessation of the oral contraceptives until 3 weeks postoperative
C) Doppler ultrasound of peripheral circulation twice daily
D) Dependent positioning of the patients extremities when at rest

Question 5

A nurse is creating an education plan for a patient with venous insufficiency. What measure should the nurse include in the plan?

A) Avoiding tight-fitting socks.
B) Limit activity whenever possible.
C) Sleep with legs in a dependent position.
D) Avoid the use of pressure stockings.

Question 6

The nurse is caring for a patient with a large venous leg ulcer. What intervention should the nurse implement to promote healing and prevent infection?

A) Provide a high-calorie, high-protein diet.
B) Apply a clean occlusive dressing once daily and whenever soiled.
C) Irrigate the wound with hydrogen peroxide once daily.
D) Apply an antibiotic ointment on the surrounding skin with each dressing change.

Question 7

The nurse is caring for a patient who returned from the tropics a few weeks ago and who sought care with signs and symptoms of lymphedema. The nurses plan of care should prioritize what nursing diagnosis?

A) Risk for infection related to lymphedema
B) Disturbed body image related to lymphedema
C) Ineffective health maintenance related to lymphedema
D) Risk for deficient fluid volume related to lymphedema

Question 8

An occupational health nurse is providing an educational event and has been asked by an administrative worker about the risk of varicose veins. What should the nurse suggest as a proactive preventative measure for varicose veins?

A) Sit with crossed legs for a few minutes each hour to promote relaxation.
B) Walk for several minutes every hour to promote circulation.
C) Elevate the legs when tired.
D) Wear snug-fitting ankle socks to decrease edema.

Question 9

A patient comes to the walk-in clinic with complaints of pain in his foot following stepping on a roofing nail 4 days ago. The patient has a visible red streak running up his foot and ankle. What health problem should the nurse suspect?

A) Cellulitis
B) Local inflammation
C) Elephantiasis
D) Lymphangitis

Question 10

The triage nurse in the ED is assessing a patient who has presented with complaint of pain and swelling in her right lower leg. The patients pain became much worse last night and appeared along with fever, chills, and sweating. The patient states, I hit my leg on the car door 4 or 5 days ago and it has been sore ever since. The patient has a history of chronic venous insufficiency. What intervention should the nurse anticipate for this patient?

A) Platelet transfusion to treat thrombocytopenia
B) Warfarin to treat arterial insufficiency
C) Antibiotics to treat cellulitis
D) Heparin IV to treat VTE

Question 11

A nurse in a long-term care facility is caring for an 83-year-old woman who has a history of HF and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). At present the patient is unable to stand or ambulate. The nurse should implement measures to prevent what complication?

A) Aoritis
B) Deep vein thrombosis
C) Thoracic aortic aneurysm
D) Raynauds disease

Question 12

A nurse is admitting a 45-year-old man to the medical unit who has a history of PAD. While providing his health history, the patient reveals that he smokes about two packs of cigarettes a day, has a history of alcohol abuse, and does not exercise. What would be the priority health education for this patient?

A) The lack of exercise, which is the main cause of PAD.
B) The likelihood that heavy alcohol intake is a significant risk factor for PAD.
C) Cigarettes contain nicotine, which is a powerful vasoconstrictor and may cause or aggravate PAD.
D) Alcohol suppresses the immune system, creates high glucose levels, and may cause PAD.

Question 13

A nurse has written a plan of care for a man diagnosed with peripheral arterial insufficiency. One of the nursing diagnoses in the care plan is altered peripheral tissue perfusion related to compromised circulation. What is the most appropriate intervention for this diagnosis?

A) Elevate his legs and arms above his heart when resting.
B) Encourage the patient to engage in a moderate amount of exercise.
C) Encourage extended periods of sitting or standing.
D) Discourage walking in order to limit pain.

Question 14

The nurse is caring for a 72-year-old patient who is in cardiac rehabilitation following heart surgery. The patient has been walking on a regular basis for about a week and walks for 15 minutes 3 times a day. The patient states that he is having a cramp-like pain in the legs every time he walks and that the pain gets better when I rest. The patients care plan should address what problem?

A) Decreased mobility related to VTE
B) Acute pain related to intermittent claudication
C) Decreased mobility related to venous insufficiency
D) Acute pain related to vasculitis

Question 15

A nurse in the rehabilitation unit is caring for an older adult patient who is in cardiac rehabilitation following an MI. The nurses plan of care calls for the patient to walk for 10 minutes 3 times a day. The patient questions the relationship between walking and heart function. How should the nurse best reply?

A) The arteries in your legs constrict when you walk and allow the blood to move faster and with more pressure on the tissue.
B) Walking increases your heart rate and blood pressure. Therefore your heart is under less stress.
C) Walking helps your heart adjust to your new arteries and helps build your self-esteem.
D) When you walk, the muscles in your legs contract and pump the blood in your veins back toward your heart, which allows more blood to return to your heart.

Question 16

The nurse is caring for a patient who is admitted to the medical unit for the treatment of a venous ulcer in the area of her lateral malleolus that has been unresponsive to treatment. What is the nurse most likely to find during an assessment of this patients wound?

A) Hemorrhage
B) Heavy exudate
C) Deep wound bed
D) Pale-colored wound bed

Question 17

The nurse is preparing to administer warfarin (Coumadin) to a client with deep vein thrombophlebitis (DVT). Which laboratory value would most clearly indicate that the patients warfarin is at therapeutic levels?

A) Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) within normal reference range
B) Prothrombin time (PT) eight to ten times the control
C) International normalized ratio (INR) between 2 and 3
D) Hematocrit of $32 \%$

Question 18

The clinic nurse is caring for a 57 -year-old client who reports experiencing leg pain whenever she walks several blocks. The patient has type 1 diabetes and has smoked a pack of cigarettes every day for the past 40 years. The physician diagnoses intermittent claudication. The nurse should provide what instruction about long-term care to the client?

A) Be sure to practice meticulous foot care.
B) Consider cutting down on your smoking.
C) Reduce your activity level to accommodate your limitations.
D) Try to make sure you eat enough protein.

Question 19

A patient who has undergone a femoral to popliteal bypass graft surgery returns to the surgical unit. Which assessments should the nurse perform during the first postoperative day?

A) Assess pulse of affected extremity every 15 minutes at first.
B) Palpate the affected leg for pain during every assessment.
C) Assess the patient for signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome every 2 hours.
D) Perform Doppler evaluation once daily.

Question 20

You are caring for a patient who is diagnosed with Raynauds phenomenon. The nurse should plan interventions to address what nursing diagnosis?

A) Chronic pain
B) Ineffective tissue perfusion
C) Impaired skin integrity
D) Risk for injury

Question 21

A patient presents to the clinic complaining of the inability to grasp objects with her right hand. The patients right arm is cool and has a difference in blood pressure of more than $20 \mathrm{~mm} \mathrm{Hg}$ compared with her left arm. The nurse should expect that the primary care provider may diagnose the woman with what health problem?

A) Lymphedema
B) Raynauds phenomenon
C) Upper extremity arterial occlusive disease
D) Upper extremity VTE

Question 22

A nurse working in a long-term care facility is performing the admission assessment of a newly admitted, 85-year-old resident. During inspection of the residents feet, the nurse notes that she appears to have early evidence of gangrene on one of her great toes. The nurse knows that gangrene in the elderly is often the first sign of what?

A) Chronic venous insufficiency
B) Raynauds phenomenon
C) VTE
D) PAD

Question 23

The prevention of VTE is an important part of the nursing care of high-risk patients. When providing patient teaching for these high-risk patients, the nurse should advise lifestyle changes, including which of the following? Select all that apply.

A) High-protein diet
B) Weight loss
C) Regular exercise
D) Smoking cessation
E) Calcium and vitamin D supplementation

Question 24

The nurse is caring for an acutely ill patient who is on anticoagulant therapy. The patient has a comorbidity of renal insufficiency. How will this patients renal status affect heparin therapy?

A) Heparin is contraindicated in the treatment of this patient.
B) Heparin may be administered subcutaneously, but not IV.
C) Lower doses of heparin are required for this patient.
D) Coumadin will be substituted for heparin.

Question 25

The nurse is assessing a woman who is pregnant at 27 weeks gestation. The patient is concerned about the recent emergence of varicose veins on the backs of her calves. What is the nurses best response?

A) Facilitate a referral to a vascular surgeon.
B) Assess the patients ankle-brachial index (ABI) and perform Doppler ultrasound testing.
C) Encourage the patient to increase her activity level.
D) Teach the patient that circulatory changes during pregnancy frequently cause varicose veins.

Question 26

Graduated compression stockings have been prescribed to treat a patients venous insufficiency. What education should the nurse prioritize when introducing this intervention to the patient?

A) The need to take anticoagulants concurrent with using compression stockings
B) The need to wear the stockings on a one day on, one day off schedule
C) The importance of wearing the stockings around the clock to ensure maximum benefit
D) The importance of ensuring the stockings are applied evenly with no pressure points

Question 27

The nurse caring for a patient with a leg ulcer has finished assessing the patient and is developing a problem list prior to writing a plan of care. What major nursing diagnosis might the care plan include?

A) Risk for disuse syndrome
B) Ineffective health maintenance
C) Sedentary lifestyle
D) Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements

Question 28

How should the nurse best position a patient who has leg ulcers that are venous in origin?

A) Keep the patients legs flat and straight.
B) Keep the patients knees bent to 45-degree angle and supported with pillows.
C) Elevate the patients lower extremities.
D) Dangle the patients legs over the side of the bed.

Question 29

A patient with advanced venous insufficiency is confined following orthopedic surgery. How can the nurse best prevent skin breakdown in the patients lower extremities?

A) Ensure that the patients heels are protected and supported.
B) Closely monitor the patients serum albumin and prealbumin levels.
C) Perform gentle massage of the patients lower legs, as tolerated.
D) Perform passive range-of-motion exercises once per shift.

Question 30

The nurse has performed a thorough nursing assessment of the care of a patient with chronic leg ulcers. The nurses assessment should include which of the following components? Select all that apply.

A) Location and type of pain
B) Apical heart rate
C) Bilateral comparison of peripheral pulses
D) Comparison of temperature in the patients legs
E) Identification of mobility limitations

Question 31

A nurse on a medical unit is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with lymphangitis. When reviewing this patients medication administration record, the nurse should anticipate which of the following?

A) Coumadin (warfarin)
B) Lasix (furosemide)
C) An antibiotic
D) An antiplatelet aggregator

Question 32

A postsurgical patient has illuminated her call light to inform the nurse of a sudden onset of lower leg pain. On inspection, the nurse observes that the patients left leg is visibly swollen and reddened. What is the nurses most appropriate action?

A) Administer a PRN dose of subcutaneous heparin.
B) Inform the physician that the patient has signs and symptoms of VTE.
C) Mobilize the patient promptly to dislodge any thrombi in the patients lower leg.
D) Massage the patients lower leg to temporarily restore venous return.

Question 33

A nurse is closely monitoring a patient who has recently been diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm. What assessment finding would signal an impending rupture of the patients aneurysm?

A) Sudden increase in blood pressure and a decrease in heart rate
B) Cessation of pulsating in an aneurysm that has previously been pulsating visibly
C) Sudden onset of severe back or abdominal pain
D) New onset of hemoptysis

Question 34

A nurse is reviewing the physiological factors that affect a patients cardiovascular health and tissue oxygenation. What is the systemic arteriovenous oxygen difference?

A) The average amount of oxygen removed by each organ in the body
B) The amount of oxygen removed from the blood by the heart
C) The amount of oxygen returning to the lungs via the pulmonary artery
D) The amount of oxygen in aortic blood minus the amount of oxygen in the vena caval blood

Question 35

The nurse is evaluating a patients diagnosis of arterial insufficiency with reference to the adequacy of the patients blood flow. On what physiological variables does adequate blood flow depend? Select all that apply.

A) Efficiency of heart as a pump
B) Adequacy of circulating blood volume
C) Ratio of platelets to red blood cells
D) Size of red blood cells
E) Patency and responsiveness of the blood vessels

Question 36

A nurse is assessing a new patient who is diagnosed with PAD. The nurse cannot feel the pulse in the patients left foot. How should the nurse proceed with assessment?

A) Have the primary care provider order a CT.
B) Apply a tourniquet for 3 to 5 minutes and then reassess.
C) Elevate the extremity and attempt to palpate the pulses.
D) Use Doppler ultrasound to identify the pulses.

Question 37

A medical nurse has admitted four patients over the course of a 12-hour shift. For which patient would assessment of ankle-brachial index (ABI) be most clearly warranted?

A) A patient who has peripheral edema secondary to chronic heart failure
B) An older adult patient who has a diagnosis of unstable angina
C) A patient with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes who is a smoker
D) A patient who has community-acquired pneumonia and a history of COPD

Question 38

An older adult patient has been treated for a venous ulcer and a plan is in place to prevent the occurrence of future ulcers. What should the nurse include in this plan?

A) Use of supplementary oxygen to aid tissue oxygenation
B) Daily use of normal saline compresses on the lower limbs
C) Daily administration of prophylactic antibiotics
D) A high-protein diet that is rich in vitamins

Question 39

A 79-year-old man is admitted to the medical unit with digital gangrene. The man states that his problems first began when he stubbed his toe going to the bathroom in the dark. In addition to this trauma, the nurse should suspect that the patient has a history of what health problem?

A) Raynauds phenomenon
B) CAD
C) Arterial insufficiency
D) Varicose veins

Question 40

When assessing venous disease in a patients lower extremities, the nurse knows that what test will most likely be ordered?

A) Duplex ultrasonography
B) Echocardiography
C) Positron emission tomography (PET)
D) Radiography