The nurse calculates the ankle-brachial index (ABI) of a patient as 0.65. The patient wants to know the significance of this value. What is the correct answer given by the nurse?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An ABI of 0.65 represents a moderate degree of peripheral arterial disease. The ABI represents a ratio of the blood pressure measured in the ankle divided by the blood pressure measured in the arm. An abnormal ABI is defined as an index <0.90. Values between 0.8 and 0.9 suggest some arterial disease. Values between 0.5 and 0.8 suggest moderate arterial disease. Values less than 0.5 are suggestive of severe arterial disease.

The Nurse Calculates the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) of a Patient