Which assessment finding would the nurse suspect as being related to peripheral vascular disease

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Terms in this set (54)

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)

Diseases of blood vessels in the extremities

PVD can be divided into 2 types:

1. Arterial
2. Venous

Arterial disorders

Obstructive: arteriosclerosis obliterans
Vasospastic: Raynaud's disease
Primary (unknown cause)
Secondary (known triggers)

Arterial - obstructive

narrowing & occlusive

Arterial - vasospastic

arterial spasm (vasoconstriction of blood vessels)

Venous disorders

Deep vein thrombosis

PVD patients tend to remain symptom-free until there is

75% to 90% occlusion in key locations of the major arteries and arterioles of the legs.

Risk factors for PVD

Diabetes & smoking

What is an "early sign" of PVD?

Aching, cramping, tightness, weakness during exercise

Intermittent claudication (IC)

muscle pain during exercise from lack of oxygen, progresses to pain at rest, numbness, and paresthesias

Paresthesia

numbness with tingling sensation

Blood viscosity

blood becomes thicker, more viscous

Lack of treatment for intermittent claudication results in?

thrombosis and the potential for gangrene

Physical findings of PVD are:

-reduced arterial pulsations on palpation
-systolic bruits (over involved arteries)
-waxy, pale and dry skin
-no hair growth in affected area
-lower skin temperature in affected extremity
-edema
-numbness to sensation

Raynaud's Disease

Caused by vasospasm and ischemia of arteries in hands, fingers, and toes

Sign & symptoms of Raynaud's disease:

numbness, tingling, skin tightness, blanching of the skin with vasoconstriction followed by vasodilation

Progression of Raynaud's disease

begins with fingertips, then hands

As Raynaud's attacks subside vasodilation causes

redness, rubor to the pale skin

Baseline Assessments for Peripheral Vascular Disease

-History of risk factors such as hypertension, high serum lipids
-Dietary habits, obesity
-Smoking
-Assessment of tissues
Oxygenation
Temperature
Peripheral pulses, edema, and limb pain
-Level of exercise tolerated and ability to control stressful situations

When assessing temperature of extremities -

ALWAYS compare side-to-side (both)

If there is a clot occluding an artery there will be ______, and _________

pain & significant symptoms (THIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY!)

In which condition is leg pain produced upon increased activity and ischemia to tissues, but then the pain is reduced with rest?
A. Angina
B. Intermittent claudication
C. Sporadic ischemia
D. Paresthesia

Answer: B

Rationale: Intermittent claudication describes the state of temporary decrease in blood supply to the legs producing pain, numbness, and tingling. Upon rest, the pain goes away. It is a condition that may be treated with medication to dilate the blood vessels and supply more oxygenated blood to the muscle.

Which assessment finding would the nurse suspect as being related to peripheral vascular disease?
A. Warm feet
B. No hair growth on shins
C. Pulses of 1+
D. Pale-pink color of feet

Answer: B

Rationale: A deficiency of oxygenated blood supply to the legs is manifested by leg pain, cool to cold feet, weak to no pulses, possible edema, and absence of hair growth on the shins. This is caused by ischemia to the tissues and hair follicles on the legs.

Patient Education for Peripheral Vascular Disease

-Self-care measures that promote circulation
-Smoking cessation
-Avoid tight-fitting clothing
-Diet designed to control obesity and lipid levels
-Check extremities for infection, meticulous care
-Avoid sitting or standing for long periods
-Maintain and foster maximum mobility
-Medication education and expectations

Why is it important to check with the health care provider before elevating extremities?

it is contraindicated in patients with arterial insufficiency.

What type of goals should you set for control of pain & symptoms?

Short-term goals

Patient Teaching

-Test water temperature before immersing hands and feet
-Alternate pairs of shoes to allow to dry
-Wear several layers of lightweight clothing to avoid frostbite
-Drug therapy isn't total solution

How is Raynaud's disease best treated?

by avoidance of triggers, such as cold temperatures, emotional stress, and tobacco or other drugs known to induce attacks.

Nonpharmacologic Treatment of Peripheral Vascular Disease

- Control of diet, reduce hypercholesterolemia
- Daily exercise and weight control
- Cessation of smoking
- Control of diabetes and hypertension
- Proper foot care, especially for diabetics
- Elevation of the head of bed to increase circulation to extremities
- Arterial angioplasty and surgery

Which is a more beneficial and successful type of treatment for PVD, pharmacological or nonpharmacological?

Nonpharmacological

Potential Classes of Drugs to Treat Raynaud's Disease

-Calcium ion agonists
Diltiazem (Cardizem)
Nifedipine (Procardia)
Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin)
-Adrenergic antagonists
Prazosin (Minipress), reserpine
Guanethidine (Ismelin), methyldopa
-ACE inhibitor
Captopril (Capoten)
-Direct vasodilator
Nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitro-Bid, Nitro-Dur)

Which calcium ion agonist has the greatest success in reducing the occurrence of spasms?

Nifedipine

Which drug has been extensively studied and successful in reducing frequency and severity of attacks?

Captopril

Which agents have moderate success and many adverse effects?

Adrenergic antagonists

Which drug has adverse effects such as dizziness, headache, and hypotension?

Nitroglycerin

Drug Class: Hemorheologic Agents

Drug: pentoxifylline (Trental)
*ON TEST*

Actions of pentoxifylline (Trental)

Increase erythrocyte flexibility, decrease amount of fibrinogen in blood, prevent aggregation of RBCs and platelets

*Decreases the viscosity of blood and improves tissue perfusion, which results in increased blood flow.

Uses of pentoxifylline (Trental)

Treat intermittent claudication

Common adverse effects of pentoxifylline (Trental)

Nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia; dizziness, headache

Serious adverse effects of pentoxifylline (Trental)

Chest pain, dysrhythmias, shortness of breath

A patient with peripheral vascular disease has been on pentoxifylline (Trental) for 2 weeks. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further patient teaching about the disease?
A. "I'm going to stop smoking so my legs don't hurt so much."
B. "I know if I lose some weight it would help my feet to not be so cold."
C. "I can't wait to go skiing this weekend now that my feet don't hurt so much."
D. "I'm gradually increasing the distance I walk each day."

Answer: C

Rationale: Patients with peripheral vascular disease must be cautious in extreme weather like skiing because sensation to the legs is impaired. The patient could experience frostbite and damage to the extremities and not be aware of it.

Drug Class: Vasodilators

Drug: papaverine hydrochloride

Actions of papaverine hydrochloride

Vasodilation of the smooth muscles of blood vessels

*OTC cold and cough preparations may counteract its effect.

Uses of papaverine hydrochloride

Treat symptoms of vasospasms, cerebral vascular insufficiency, arteriosclerosis

Common adverse effects of papaverine hydrochloride

Flushing, tingling, sweating, nausea, vomiting

Serious adverse effects of papaverine hydrochloride

Hypotension, tachycardia, rash, nervousness

A patient with peripheral vascular disease has been prescribed papaverine. Which symptom is considered a severe adverse effect that requires immediate reporting to the health care provider?
A. Hypotension
B. Flushing
C. Nausea and vomiting
D. Sweating

Answer: A

Rationale: The adverse effects of flushing, sweating, nausea, and vomiting may occur during the initial phase of therapy but should resolve with continued therapy. Hypotension is a more serious adverse effect and should be reported to the health care provider. Blood pressure and pulse should be monitored regularly, especially at the beginning of therapy.

Drug Class: Platelet Aggregation Inhibitor

Drug: cilostazol (Pletal)
*ON TEST*

Actions of Platelet Aggregation Inhibitor: cilostazol (Pletal)

Allow increased levels of cAMP, which result in vasodilation and inhibit platelet aggregation

Uses of Platelet Aggregation Inhibitor: cilostazol (Pletal)

Treat intermittent claudication

Common adverse effects of Platelet Aggregation Inhibitor: cilostazol (Pletal)

Dyspepsia (indigestion), diarrhea; dizziness, headache

Serious adverse effects of Platelet Aggregation Inhibitor: cilostazol (Pletal)

Chest pain, palpitations, dysrhythmias, shortness of breath

Therapeutic outcomes of cilostazol (Pletal)

improve tissue perfusion, reduce pain, improve tolerance of exercise, and improve peripheral pulses.

What fruit/juice does Pletal interact with?

Grapefruit

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What are the warning signs of peripheral vascular disease?

Peripheral Vascular Disease Symptoms.
Buttock pain..
Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs..
Burning or aching pain in the feet or toes while resting..
A sore on a leg or a foot that will not heal..
One or both legs or feet feeling cold or changing color (pale, bluish, dark reddish).
Loss of hair on the legs..
Impotence..

What are examples of peripheral vascular disease?

Peripheral Vascular Disease..
Pulmonary Embolism..
Raynaud's Phenomenon..
Renal Vascular Disease..
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm..
Varicose Veins..

What are the five classic peripheral signs of PVD?

Peripheral signs of peripheral vascular disease are the classic "five P's," as follows:.
Pulselessness..
Paralysis..
Paresthesia..
Pallor..

What physical exam findings might you expect if the patient had peripheral vascular disease include arterial and venous findings?

Physical findings include abnormal pedal pulses, femoral artery bruit, delayed venous filling time, cool skin, and abnormal skin color. Most patients present with subtle findings and lack classic symptoms, which makes the diagnosis difficult.