Ch 37: Vascular Disorders

When assessing a patient with possible peripheral artery disease (PAD), the nurse obtains a brachial BP of 147/82 and an ankle pressure of 112/74. The nurse calculates the patient's ankle-brachial index (ABI) as ________ (round up to the nearest hundredth).

ANS: 0.76 The ABI is calculated by dividing the ankle systolic BP by the brachial systolic BP.

The nurse is admitting a 68-yr-old preoperative patient with a suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The medication history reveals that the patient has been taking warfarin (Coumadin) on a daily basis. Based on this history and the patient's admission diagnosis, the nurse should prepare to administer which medication? Vitamin K Cobalamin Heparin sodium Protamine sulfate

A Coumadin is a vitamin K antagonist anticoagulant that could cause excessive bleeding during surgery if clotting times are not corrected before surgery. For this reason, vitamin K is given as the antidote for warfarin (Coumadin).

A key aspect of teaching for the patient on anticoagulant therapy includes which instructions? a. Monitor for and report any signs of bleeding. b. Do not take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for a headache. c. Decrease your dietary intake of foods containing vitamin K. d. Arrange to have blood drawn routinely to check drug levels

A Rationale: Patients taking anticoagulants should be taught to monitor and report any signs of bleeding, which can be a serious complication. Other important patient teaching includes maintenance of a consistent intake of foods containing vitamin K, avoidance of supplements that contain vitamin K, and routine coagulation laboratory studies if a patient is taking warfarin.

The patient has chronic venous insufficiency and a venous ulcer. The unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) decides to apply compression stockings because that is what patients 'always' have ordered. Which assessment finding would indicate the application of compression stockings could harm the patient? Rest pain High blood pressure Elevated blood sugar Dry, itchy, flaky skin

A Rest pain occurs as peripheral artery disease (PAD) progresses and involves multiple arterial segments. Compression stockings should not be used on patients with PAD. Elevated blood glucose, possibly indicating uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, and hypertension may or may not indicate arterial problems. Dry, itchy, flaky skin indicates venous insufficiency. The RN should be the one to obtain the order and instruct the UAP to apply compression stockings if they are ordered.

When the patient is being examined for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the calf, what diagnostic test should the nurse expect to teach the patient about first? Duplex ultrasound Contrast venography Magnetic resonance venography Computed tomography venography

A The duplex ultrasound is the most widely used test to diagnose VTE. Contrast venography is rarely used now. Magnetic resonance venography is less accurate for calf veins than pelvic and proximal veins. Computed tomography venography may be used but is invasive and much more expensive than the duplex ultrasound.

Which person should the nurse identify as having the highest risk for abdominal aortic aneurysm? A 70-yr-old man with high cholesterol and hypertension A 40-yr-old woman with obesity and metabolic syndrome A 60-yr-old man with renal insufficiency who is physically inactive A 65-yr-old woman with hyperhomocysteinemia and substance abuse

A The most common etiology of descending abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is atherosclerosis. Male gender, age 65 years or older, and tobacco use are the major risk factors for AAAs of atherosclerotic origin. Other risk factors include the presence of coronary or peripheral artery disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Assessment of a patient's peripheral IV site reveals that phlebitis has developed over the past several hours. Which intervention should the nurse implement first? Remove the patient's IV catheter. Apply an ice pack to the affected area. Decrease the IV rate to 20 to 30 mL/hr. Administer prophylactic anticoagulants.

A The priority intervention for superficial phlebitis is removal of the offending IV catheter. Decreasing the IV rate is insufficient. Anticoagulants are not normally required, and warm, moist heat is often therapeutic.

What medications should the nurse expect to include in the teaching plan to decrease the risk of cardiovascular events and death for PAD patients (select all that apply.)? Ramipril (Altace) Cilostazol (Pletal) Simvastatin (Zocor) Clopidogrel (Plavix) Warfarin (Coumadin) Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)

A, C, F Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (e.g., ramipril [Altace]) are used to control hypertension. Statins (e.g., simvastatin [Zocor]) are used for lipid management. Aspirin is used as an antiplatelet agent. Cilostazol (Pletal) is used for intermittent claudication, but it does not reduce CVD morbidity and mortality risks. Clopidogrel may be used if the patient cannot tolerate aspirin. Anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin [Coumadin]) are not recommended to prevent cardiovascular disease events in PAD patients.

A 46-year-old is diagnosed with thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease). When the nurse is developing a discharge teaching plan for the patient, which outcome has the highest priority for this patient? a. Cessation of all tobacco use b. Control of serum lipid levels c. Maintenance of appropriate weight d. Demonstration of meticulous foot care

ANS: A Absolute cessation of nicotine use is needed to reduce the risk for amputation in patients with Buerger's disease. Other therapies have limited success in treatment of this disease.

A 67-year-old patient is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of venous insufficiency. Which patient statement is most supportive of the diagnosis? a. "I can't get my shoes on at the end of the day." b. "I can't seem to ever get my feet warm enough." c. "I have burning leg pains after I walk two blocks." d. "I wake up during the night because my legs hurt."

ANS: A Because the edema associated with venous insufficiency increases when the patient has been standing, shoes will feel tighter at the end of the day. The other patient statements are characteristic of peripheral artery disease (PAD).

An 80-year-old patient with a history of an abdominal aortic aneurysm arrives at the emergency department (ED) with severe back pain and absent pedal pulses. Which actions should the nurse take first? a. Obtain the blood pressure. b. Obtain blood for laboratory testing. c. Assess for the presence of an abdominal bruit. d. Determine any family history of kidney disease.

ANS: A Because the patient appears to be experiencing aortic dissection, the nurse's first action should be to determine the hemodynamic status by assessing blood pressure. The other actions also may be done, but they will not provide information that will determine what interventions are needed immediately for this patient.

A patient in the outpatient clinic has a new diagnosis of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Which group of medications will the nurse plan to include when providing patient teaching about PAD management? a. Statins b. Antibiotics c. Thrombolytics d. Anticoagulants

ANS: A Current research indicates that statin use by patients with PAD improves multiple outcomes. There is no research that supports the use of the other medication categories in PAD.

The nurse is caring for a patient immediately after repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. On assessment, the patient has absent popliteal, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis pulses. The legs are cool and mottled. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Notify the surgeon and anesthesiologist. b. Wrap both the legs in a warming blanket. c. Document the findings and recheck in 15 minutes. d. Compare findings to the preoperative assessment of the pulses.

ANS: A Lower extremity pulses may be absent for a short time after surgery because of vasospasm and hypothermia. Decreased or absent pulses together with a cool and mottled extremity may indicate embolization or graft occlusion. These findings should be reported to the physician immediately because this is an emergency situation. Because pulses are marked prior to surgery, the nurse would know whether pulses were present prior to surgery before notifying the health care providers about the absent pulses. Because the patient's symptoms may indicate graft occlusion or multiple emboli and a possible need to return to surgery, it is not appropriate to wait 15 minutes before taking action. A warming blanket will not improve the circulation to the patient's legs.

After teaching a patient with newly diagnosed Raynaud's phenomenon about how to manage the condition, which action by the patient demonstrates that the teaching has been effective? a. The patient exercises indoors during the winter months. b. The patient places the hands in hot water when they turn pale. c. The patient takes pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) for cold symptoms. d. The patient avoids taking nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

ANS: A Patients should avoid temperature extremes by exercising indoors when it is cold. To avoid burn injuries, the patient should use warm, rather than hot, water to warm the hands. Pseudoephedrine is a vasoconstrictor, and should be avoided. There is no reason to avoid taking NSAIDs with Raynaud's phenomenon.

A patient who is 2 days post-femoral-popliteal bypass graft to the right leg is being cared for on the vascular unit. Which action by a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) caring for the patient requires the registered nurse (RN) to intervene? a. The LPN/LVN has the patient sit in a chair for 90 minutes. b. The LPN/LVN assists the patient to walk 40 feet in the hallway. c. The LPN/LVN gives the ordered aspirin 160 mg after breakfast. d. The LPN/LVN places the patient in a Fowler's position for meals.

ANS: A The patient should avoid sitting for long periods because of the increased stress on the suture line caused by leg edema and because of the risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). The other actions by the LPN/LVN are appropriate.

Which nursing action should be included in the plan of care after endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm? a. Record hourly chest tube drainage. b. Monitor fluid intake and urine output. c. Check the abdominal incision for any redness. d. Teach the reason for a prolonged recovery period.

ANS: B Because renal artery occlusion can occur after endovascular repair, the nurse should monitor parameters of renal function such as intake and output. Chest tubes will not be needed for endovascular surgery, the recovery period will be short, and there will not be an abdominal wound.

When evaluating the discharge teaching for a patient with chronic peripheral artery disease (PAD), the nurse determines a need for further instruction when the patient says, "I will a. have to buy some loose clothes that do not bind across my legs or waist." b. use a heating pad on my feet at night to increase the circulation and warmth in my feet." c. change my position every hour and avoid long periods of sitting with my legs crossed." d. walk to the point of pain, rest, and walk again until the pain returns for at least 30 minutes 3 times a week."

ANS: B Because the patient has impaired circulation and sensation to the feet, the use of a heating pad could lead to burns. The other patient statements are correct and indicate that teaching has been successful.

The nurse is caring for a patient with critical limb ischemia who has just arrived on the nursing unit after having percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty. Which action should the nurse perform first? a. Begin oral intake. b. Obtain vital signs. c. Assess pedal pulses. d. Start discharge teaching.

ANS: B Bleeding is a possible complication after catheterization of the femoral artery, so the nurse's first action should be to assess for changes in vital signs that might indicate hemorrhage. The other actions are also appropriate but can be done after determining that bleeding is not occurring.

A patient has a 6-cm thoracic aortic aneurysm that was discovered during a routine chest x-ray. When obtaining an admission history from the patient, it will be most important for the nurse to ask about a. low back pain. b. trouble swallowing. c. abdominal tenderness. d. changes in bowel habits.

ANS: B Difficulty swallowing may occur with a thoracic aneurysm because of pressure on the esophagus. The other symptoms will be important to assess for in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms.

The health care provider prescribes an infusion of heparin (Hep-Lock) and daily partial thromboplastin time (PTT) testing for a patient with venous thromboembolism (VTE). The nurse will plan to a. decrease the infusion when the PTT value is 65 seconds. b. avoid giving any IM medications to prevent localized bleeding. c. monitor posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis pulses with the Doppler. d. have vitamin K available in case reversal of the heparin is needed.

ANS: B IM injections are avoided in patients receiving anticoagulation. A PTT of 65 seconds is within the therapeutic range. Vitamin K is used to reverse warfarin. Pulse quality is not affected by VTE.

The nurse who works in the vascular clinic has several patients with venous insufficiency scheduled today. Which patient should the nurse assign to an experienced licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN)? a. Patient who has been complaining of increased edema and skin changes in the legs b. Patient who needs wound care for a chronic venous stasis ulcer on the right lower leg c. Patient who has a history of venous thromboembolism and is complaining of some dyspnea d. Patient who needs teaching about the use of elastic compression stockings for venous insufficiency

ANS: B LPN education and scope of practice includes wound care. The other patients, which require more complex assessments or education, should be managed by the RN.

When caring for a patient on the first postoperative day after an abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, which assessment finding is most important for the nurse to communicate to the health care provider? a. Presence of flatus b. Loose, bloody stools c. Hypoactive bowel sounds d. Abdominal pain with palpation

ANS: B Loose, bloody stools at this time may indicate intestinal ischemia or infarction, and should be reported immediately because the patient may need an emergency bowel resection. The other findings are normal on the first postoperative day after abdominal surgery.

The nurse has started discharge teaching for a patient who is to continue warfarin (Coumadin) following hospitalization for venous thromboembolism (VTE). The nurse determines that additional teaching is needed when the patient says which of the following? a. "I should get a Medic Alert device stating that I take Coumadin." b. "I should reduce the amount of green, leafy vegetables that I eat." c. "I will need routine blood tests to monitor the effects of the Coumadin." d. "I will check with my health care provider before I begin any new medications."

ANS: B Patients taking warfarin are taught to follow a consistent diet with regard to foods that are high in vitamin K, such as green, leafy vegetables. The other patient statements are accurate.

A 23-year-old patient tells the health care provider about experiencing cold, numb fingers when running during the winter and Raynaud's phenomenon is suspected. The nurse will anticipate teaching the patient about tests for a. hyperglycemia. b. hyperlipidemia. c. autoimmune disorders. d. coronary artery disease.

ANS: C Secondary Raynaud's phenomenon may occur in conjunction with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Patients should be screened for autoimmune disorders. Raynaud's phenomenon is not associated with hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, or coronary artery disease.

When developing a teaching plan for a 76-year-old patient newly diagnosed with peripheral artery disease (PAD), which instructions should the nurse include? a. "Exercise only if you do not experience any pain." b. "It is very important that you stop smoking cigarettes." c. "Try to keep your legs elevated whenever you are sitting." d. "Put elastic compression stockings on early in the morning."

ANS: B Smoking cessation is essential for slowing the progression of PAD to critical limb ischemia and reducing the risk of myocardial infarction and death. Circulation to the legs will decrease if the legs are elevated. Patients with PAD are taught to exercise to the point of feeling pain, rest, and then resume walking. Support hose are not used for patients with PAD.

Which actions could the nurse delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) who are providing care for a patient who is at risk for venous thromboembolism? a. Monitor for any bleeding after anticoagulation therapy is started. b. Apply sequential compression device whenever the patient is in bed. c. Ask the patient about use of herbal medicines or dietary supplements. d. Instruct the patient to call immediately if any shortness of breath occurs.

ANS: B UAP training includes the use of equipment that requires minimal nursing judgment, such as sequential compression devices. Patient assessment and teaching require more education and critical thinking and should be done by the registered nurse (RN).

The nurse performing an assessment with a patient who has chronic peripheral artery disease (PAD) of the legs and an ulcer on the right second toe would expect to find a. dilated superficial veins. b. swollen, dry, scaly ankles. c. prolonged capillary refill in all the toes. d. a serosanguineous drainage from the ulcer.

ANS: C Capillary refill is prolonged in PAD because of the slower and decreased blood flow to the periphery. The other listed clinical manifestations are consistent with chronic venous disease.

A 46-year-old service-counter worker undergoes sclerotherapy for treatment of superficial varicose veins at an outpatient center. Which instructions should the nurse provide to the patient before discharge? a. Sitting at the work counter, rather than standing, is recommended. b. Exercise, such as walking or jogging, can cause recurrence of varicosities. c. Elastic compression stockings should be applied before getting out of bed. d. Taking an aspirin daily will help prevent clots from forming around venous valves.

ANS: C Elastic compression stockings are applied with the legs elevated to reduce pressure in the lower legs. Walking is recommended to prevent recurrent varicosities. Sitting and standing are both risk factors for varicose veins and venous insufficiency. An aspirin a day is not adequate to prevent venous thrombosis and would not be recommended for the patient who had just had sclerotherapy.

A patient with a venous thromboembolism (VTE) is started on enoxaparin (Lovenox) and warfarin (Coumadin). The patient asks the nurse why two medications are necessary. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate? a. "Taking two blood thinners reduces the risk for another clot to form." b. "Lovenox will start to dissolve the clot, and Coumadin will prevent any more clots from forming." c. "Lovenox will work right away, but Coumadin takes several days to have an effect on preventing clots." d. "Because of the risk for a blood clot in the lungs, it is important for you to take more than one blood thinner."

ANS: C Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is used because of the immediate effect on coagulation and discontinued once the international normalized ratio (INR) value indicates that the warfarin has reached a therapeutic level. LMWH has no thrombolytic properties. The use of two anticoagulants is not related to the risk for pulmonary embolism, and two are not necessary to reduce the risk for another VTE. Furthermore, anticoagulants should not be described as blood thinners.

Which assessment finding for a patient who has been admitted with a right calf venous thromboembolism (VTE) requires immediate action by the nurse? a. Erythema of right lower leg b. Complaint of right calf pain c. New onset shortness of breath d. Temperature of 100.4° F (38° C)

ANS: C New onset dyspnea suggests a pulmonary embolus, which will require rapid actions such as oxygen administration and notification of the health care provider. The other findings are typical of VTE.

Which action by a nurse who is giving fondaparinux (Arixtra) to a patient with a lower leg venous thromboembolism (VTE) indicates that more education about the drug is needed? a. The nurse avoids rubbing the injection site after giving the drug. b. The nurse injects the drug into the abdominal subcutaneous tissue. c. The nurse ejects the air bubble in the syringe before giving the drug. d. The nurse fails to assess the partial thromboplastin time (PTT) before giving the drug.

ANS: C The air bubble is not ejected before giving fondaparinux to avoid loss of medication. The other actions by the nurse are appropriate.

The nurse is caring for a patient with a descending aortic dissection. Which assessment finding is most important to report to the health care provider? a. Weak pedal pulses b. Absent bowel sounds c. Blood pressure 137/88 mm Hg d. 25 mL urine output over last hour

ANS: C The blood pressure is typically kept at less than 120 mm Hg systolic to minimize extension of the dissection. The nurse will need to notify the health care provider so that β-blockers or other antihypertensive medications can be prescribed. The other findings are typical with aortic dissection and should also be reported but do not require immediate action.

After receiving report, which patient admitted to the emergency department should the nurse assess first? a. 67-year-old who has a gangrenous left foot ulcer with a weak pedal pulse b. 58-year-old who is taking anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation and has black stools c. 50-year-old who is complaining of sudden "sharp" and "worst ever" upper back pain d. 39-year-old who has right calf tenderness, redness, and swelling after a long plane ride

ANS: C The patient's presentation is consistent with dissecting thoracic aneurysm, which will require rapid intervention. The other patients do not need urgent interventions.

When discussing risk factor modification for a 63-year-old patient who has a 5-cm abdominal aortic aneurysm, the nurse will focus discharge teaching on which patient risk factor? a. Male gender b. Turner syndrome c. Abdominal trauma history d. Uncontrolled hypertension

ANS: D All of the factors contribute to the patient's risk, but only hypertension can potentially be modified to decrease the patient's risk for further expansion of the aneurysm.

Which nursing intervention for a patient who had an open repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm 2 days previously is appropriate for the nurse to delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? a. Monitor the quality and presence of the pedal pulses. b. Teach the patient the signs of possible wound infection. c. Check the lower extremities for strength and movement. d. Help the patient to use a pillow to splint while coughing.

ANS: D Assisting a patient who has already been taught how to cough is part of routine postoperative care and within the education and scope of practice for UAP. Patient teaching and assessment of essential postoperative functions such as circulation and movement should be done by RNs.

The nurse reviews the admission orders shown in the accompanying figure for a patient newly diagnosed with peripheral artery disease. Which admission order should the nurse question? a. Use of treadmill for exercise b. Referral for dietary instruction c. Exercising to the point of discomfort d. Combined clopidogrel and omeprazole therapy

ANS: D Because the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel is reduced when it is used with omeprazole, the nurse should clarify this prescription with the health care provider. The other interventions are appropriate for a patient with peripheral artery disease.

A patient is being evaluated for post-thrombotic syndrome. Which assessment will the nurse perform? a. Ask about leg pain with exercise. b. Determine the ankle-brachial index. c. Assess capillary refill in the patient's toes. d. Check for presence of lipodermatosclerosis.

ANS: D Clinical signs of post-thrombotic syndrome include lipodermatosclerosis. In this situation, the skin on the lower leg becomes scarred, and the leg becomes tapered like an "inverted bottle." The other assessments would be done for patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Which topic should the nurse include in patient teaching for a patient with a venous stasis ulcer on the left lower leg? a. Need to increase carbohydrate intake b. Methods of keeping the wound area dry c. Purpose of prophylactic antibiotic therapy d. Application of elastic compression stockings

ANS: D Compression of the leg is essential to healing of venous stasis ulcers. High dietary intake of protein, rather than carbohydrates, is needed. Prophylactic antibiotics are not routinely used for venous ulcers. Moist dressings are used to hasten wound healing.

While working in the outpatient clinic, the nurse notes that a patient has a history of intermittent claudication. Which statement by the patient would support this information? a. "When I stand too long, my feet start to swell." b. "I get short of breath when I climb a lot of stairs." c. "My fingers hurt when I go outside in cold weather." d. "My legs cramp whenever I walk more than a block."

ANS: D Cramping that is precipitated by a consistent level of exercise is descriptive of intermittent claudication. Finger pain associated with cold weather is typical of Raynaud's phenomenon. Shortness of breath that occurs with exercise is not typical of intermittent claudication, which is reproducible. Swelling associated with prolonged standing is typical of venous disease.

Several hours after an open surgical repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, the UAP reports to the nurse that urinary output for the past 2 hours has been 40 mL. The nurse notifies the health care provider and anticipates an order for a(n) a. hemoglobin count. b. additional antibiotic. c. decrease in IV infusion rate. d. blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level.

ANS: D The decreased urine output suggests decreased renal perfusion, and monitoring of renal function is needed. There is no indication that infection is a concern, so antibiotic therapy and a WBC count are not needed. The IV rate may be increased because hypovolemia may be contributing to the patient's decreased urinary output.

A patient at the clinic says, "I have always taken a walk after dinner, but lately my leg cramps and hurts after just a few minutes of starting. The pain goes away after I stop walking, though." The nurse should a. check for the presence of tortuous veins bilaterally on the legs. b. ask about any skin color changes that occur in response to cold. c. assess for unilateral swelling, redness, and tenderness of either leg. d. assess for the presence of the dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulses.

ANS: D The nurse should assess for other clinical manifestations of peripheral arterial disease in a patient who describes intermittent claudication. Changes in skin color that occur in response to cold are consistent with Raynaud's phenomenon. Tortuous veins on the legs suggest venous insufficiency. Unilateral leg swelling, redness, and tenderness indicate venous thromboembolism (VTE).

A 73-year-old patient with chronic atrial fibrillation develops sudden severe pain, pulselessness, pallor, and coolness in the right leg. The nurse should notify the health care provider and immediately a. apply a compression stocking to the leg. b. elevate the leg above the level of the heart. c. assist the patient in gently exercising the leg. d. keep the patient in bed in the supine position.

ANS: D The patient's history and clinical manifestations are consistent with acute arterial occlusion, and resting the leg will decrease the oxygen demand of the tissues and minimize ischemic damage until circulation can be restored. Elevating the leg or applying an elastic wrap will further compromise blood flow to the leg. Exercise will increase oxygen demand for the tissues of the leg.

The health care provider has prescribed bed rest with the feet elevated for a patient admitted to the hospital with venous thromboembolism. Which action by the nurse to elevate the patient's feet is best? a. The patient is placed in the Trendelenburg position. b. Two pillows are positioned under the affected leg. c. The bed is elevated at the knee and pillows are placed under the feet. d. One pillow is placed under the thighs and two pillows are placed under the lower legs.

ANS: D The purpose of elevating the feet is to enhance venous flow from the feet to the right atrium, which is best accomplished by placing two pillows under the feet and one under the thighs. Placing the patient in the Trendelenburg position will lower the head below heart level, which is not indicated for this patient. Placing pillows under the calf or elevating the bed at the knee may cause blood stasis at the calf level.

A 73-yr-old man with dementia has a venous ulcer related to chronic venous insufficiency. The nurse should provide teaching on which type of diet for this patient and his caregiver? Low-fat diet High-protein diet Calorie-restricted diet High-carbohydrate diet

B A patient with a venous ulcer should have a balanced diet with adequate protein, calories, and micronutrients; this type of diet is essential for healing. Nutrients most important for healing include protein, vitamins A and C, and zinc. Foods high in protein (e.g., meat, beans, cheese, tofu), vitamin A (green leafy vegetables), vitamin C (citrus fruits, tomatoes, cantaloupe), and zinc (meat, seafood) must be provided. Restricting fat or calories is not helpful for wound healing or in patients of normal weight. For overweight individuals with no active venous ulcer, a weight-loss diet should be considered.

A nurse is caring for a patient with a diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The patient has an order to receive 30 mg enoxaparin (Lovenox). Which injection site should the nurse use to administer this medication safely? Buttock, upper outer quadrant Abdomen, anterior-lateral aspect Back of the arm, 2 inches away from a mole Anterolateral thigh, with no scar tissue nearby

B Enoxaparin (Lovenox) is a low-molecular-weight (LMW) heparin that is given as a deep subcutaneous injection in the right and left anterolateral abdomen. All subcutaneous injections should be given away from scars, lesions, or moles.

Which assessment finding would alert the nurse that a postoperative patient is not receiving the beneficial effects of enoxaparin (Lovenox)? Crackles bilaterally in the lung bases Pain and swelling in a lower extremity Absence of arterial pulse in a lower extremity Abdominal pain with decreased bowel sounds

B Enoxaparin is a low-molecular-weight heparin used to prevent the development of deep vein thromboses (DVTs) in the postoperative period. Pain and swelling in a lower extremity can indicate development of DVT and therefore may signal ineffective medication therapy.

A 67-yr-old man with peripheral artery disease is seen in the primary care clinic. Which symptom reported by the patient would indicate to the nurse that the patient is experiencing intermittent claudication? Patient complains of chest pain with strenuous activity. Patient says muscle leg pain occurs with continued exercise. Patient has numbness and tingling of all his toes and both feet. Patient states the feet become red if he puts them in a dependent position.

B Intermittent claudication is an ischemic muscle ache or pain that is precipitated by a consistent level of exercise, resolves within 10 minutes or less with rest, and is reproducible. Angina is the term used to describe chest pain with exertion. Paresthesia is the term used to describe numbness or tingling in the toes or feet. Reactive hyperemia is the term used to describe redness of the foot; if the limb is in a dependent position the term is dependent rubor.

A patient is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Which signs and symptoms would suggest that his aneurysm has ruptured? a. Sudden shortness of breath and hemoptysis b. Sudden, severe low back pain and bruising along his flank c. Gradually increasing substernal chest pain and diaphoresis d. Sudden, patchy blue mottling on feet and toes and rest pain

B Rationale: The clinical manifestations of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm include severe back pain, back or flank ecchymosis (Grey Turner's sign), and hypovolemic shock (tachycardia, hypotension, pale clammy skin, decreased urine output, altered level of consciousness, and abdominal tenderness).

The first priority of collaborative care of a patient with a suspected acute aortic dissection is to a. reduce anxiety. b. control blood pressure. c. monitor for chest pain. d. increase myocardial contractility

B Rationale: The initial goals of therapy for acute aortic dissection without complications are blood pressure (BP) control and pain management. BP control reduces stress on the aortic wall by reducing systolic BP and myocardial contractility.

The patient at highest risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a. a 62-year-old man with spider veins who is having arthroscopic knee surgery. b. a 32-year-old woman who smokes, takes oral contraceptives, and is planning a trip to Europe. c. a 26-year-old woman who is 3 days postpartum and received maintenance IV fluids for 12 hours during her labor. d. an active 72-year-old man at home recovering from transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia

B Rationale: Three important factors (called Virchow's triad) in the etiology of venous thrombosis are (1) venous stasis, (2) damage of the endothelium (inner lining of the vein), and (3) hypercoagulability of the blood. Patients at risk for venous thrombosis usually have predisposing conditions for these three disorders (see Table 38-8). The 32-year-old woman has the highest risk: long trips without adequate exercise (venous stasis), tobacco use, and use of oral contraceptives. Note: The likelihood of hypercoagulability of blood is increased in women older than 35 years who use tobacco.

A 62-yr-old Hispanic male patient with diabetes mellitus has been diagnosed with peripheral artery disease (PAD). The patient is a smoker with a history of gout. To prevent complications, which factor is priority in patient teaching? Gender Smoking Ethnicity Comorbidities

B Smoking is the most significant factor for this patient. PAD is a marker of advanced systemic atherosclerosis. Therefore, tobacco cessation is essential to reduce PAD progression, CVD events, and mortality. Diabetes mellitus and hyperuricemia are also risk factors. Being male or Hispanic are not risk factors for PAD.

The nurse is caring for a newly admitted patient with vascular insufficiency. The patient has a new order for enoxaparin (Lovenox) 30 mg subcutaneously. What should the nurse do to correctly administer this medication? Spread the skin before inserting the needle. Leave the air bubble in the prefilled syringe. Use the back of the arm as the preferred site. Sit the patient at a 30-degree angle before administration.

B The nurse should not expel the air bubble from the prefilled syringe because it should be injected to clear the needle of medication and avoid leaving medication in the needle track in the tissue.

A patient with varicose veins has been prescribed compression stockings. Which nursing instruction would be most appropriate? "Try to keep your stockings on 24 hours a day, as much as possible." "While you're still lying in bed in the morning, put on your stockings." "Dangle your feet at your bedside for 5 minutes before putting on your stockings." "Your stockings will be most effective if you can remove them for a few minutes several times a day."

B The patient with varicose veins should apply stockings in bed before rising in the morning. Stockings should not be worn continuously and should not be removed several times daily. Dangling at the bedside before application is likely to decrease their effectiveness.

A patient was just diagnosed with acute arterial ischemia in the left leg secondary to atrial fibrillation. Which early clinical manifestation must be reported to the physician immediately to save the patient's limb? Paralysis Paresthesia Cramping Referred pain

B The physician must be notified immediately if any of the six Ps of acute arterial ischemia occur to prevent ischemia from quickly progressing to tissue necrosis and gangrene. The six Ps are paresthesia, pain, pallor, pulselessness, and poikilothermia, with paralysis being a very late sign indicating the death of nerves to the extremity. Crampy leg sensation is more common with varicose veins. The pain is not referred.

The patient had aortic aneurysm repair 6 hours ago. What priority nursing action will maintain graft patency? Assess output for renal dysfunction. Use IV fluids to maintain adequate BP. Use oral antihypertensives to maintain cardiac output. Maintain a low BP to prevent pressure on surgical site.

B The priority is to maintain an adequate blood pressure (BP) (determined by the surgeon) to maintain graft patency. A prolonged low BP may result in graft thrombosis, and hypertension may cause undue stress on arterial anastomoses resulting in leakage of blood or rupture at the suture lines, which is when IV antihypertensives may be used. Renal output will be assessed when the aneurysm repair is above the renal arteries to assess graft patency, not maintain it.

The nurse is reviewing the laboratory test results for a 68-yr-old patient whose warfarin (Coumadin) therapy was terminated during the preoperative period. On postoperative day 2, the international normalized ratio (INR) result is 2.7. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate? Hold the daily dose of warfarin. Administer the daily dose of warfarin. Teach the patient signs and symptoms of bleeding. Call the physician to request an increased dose of warfarin.

B The therapeutic range for INR is 2.0 to 3.0 for many clinical diagnoses. To maintain therapeutic values, the nurse will administer the medication as ordered. Holding the medication would lower the INR, which would increase the risk of clot formation. Conversely, the higher the INR is, the more prolonged the clotting time. Calling the health care provider is not indicated. Although teaching is important, administering the medication is a higher priority at this time.

A patient with critical limb ischemia had peripheral artery bypass surgery to improve circulation. What nursing care should be provided on postoperative day 1? Keep patient on bed rest. Assist patient to walk several times. Have patient sit in the chair several times. Place patient on their side with knees flexed.

B To avoid blockage of the graft or stent, the patient should walk several times on postoperative day 1 and subsequent days. Having the patient's knees flexed for sitting in a chair or in bed increase the risk of venous thrombosis and may place stress on the suture lines.

The nurse is caring for a patient with a recent history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) who is scheduled for an emergency appendectomy. Vitamin K is ordered for immediate administration. The international normalized ratio (INR) value is 1.0. Which nursing action is most appropriate? Administer the medication as ordered. Hold the medication and record in the electronic medical record. Hold the medication until the lab result is repeated to verify results. Administer the medication and seek an increased dose from the health care provider.

B Vitamin K is the antidote to warfarin (Coumadin), which the patient has most likely been taking before admission for treatment of DVT. Warfarin is an anticoagulant that impairs the ability of the blood to clot. Therefore, it may be necessary to give vitamin K before surgery to reduce the risk of hemorrhage. However, the INR value is normal, and vitamin K is not required, so the medication would be held and recorded in the electronic medical record.

Which assessment findings of the left lower extremity will the nurse identify as consistent with arterial occlusion (select all that apply.)? Edematous Cold and mottled Complaints of paresthesia Pulse not palpable with Doppler Capillary refill less than three seconds Erythema and warmer than right lower extremity

B, C, D Arterial occlusion may result in loss of limb if not timely revascularized. When an artery is occluded, perfusion to the extremity is impaired or absent. On assessment, the nurse would note a cold, mottled extremity with impaired sensation or numbness. The pulse would not be identified, even with a Doppler. In contrast, the nurse would find edema, erythema, and increased warmth in the presence of a venous occlusion (deep vein thrombosis). Capillary refill would be greater than 3 seconds in an arterial occlusion and less than 3 seconds with a venous occlusion.

Which clinical manifestations are seen in patients with either Buerger's disease or Raynaud's phenomenon (select all that apply)? a. Intermittent fevers b. Sensitivity to cold temperatures c. Gangrenous ulcers on fingertips d. Color changes of fingers and toes e. Episodes of superficial vein thrombosis

B, C, D Rationale: Both Buerger's disease and Raynaud's phenomenon have the following clinical manifestations in common: cold sensitivity, ischemic and gangrenous ulcers on fingertips, and color changes of the distal extremity (fingers or toes).

Which are probable clinical findings in a person with an acute lower extremity VTE (select all that apply)? a. Pallor and coolness of foot and calf b. Mild to moderate calf pain and tenderness c. Grossly diminished or absent pedal pulses d. Unilateral edema and induration of the thigh e. Palpable cord along a superficial varicose vein

B, D Rationale: The patient with lower extremity venous thromboembolism (VTE) may or may not have unilateral leg edema, extremity pain, a sense of fullness in the thigh or calf, paresthesias, warm skin, erythema, or a systemic temperature greater than 100.4 F (38 C). If the calf is involved, it may be tender to palpation.

A postoperative patient asks the nurse why the physician ordered daily administration of enoxaparin (Lovenox). Which reply by the nurse is most appropriate? "This medication will help prevent breathing problems after surgery, such as pneumonia." "This medication will help lower your blood pressure to a safer level, which is very important after surgery." "This medication will help prevent blood clots from forming in your legs until your level of activity, such as walking, returns to normal." "This medication is a narcotic pain medication that will help take away any muscle aches caused by positioning on the operating room table."

C Enoxaparin is an anticoagulant that is used to prevent DVTs postoperatively. All other options do not describe the action or purpose of enoxaparin.

Priority nursing measures after an abdominal aortic aneurysm repair include a. assessment of cranial nerves and mental status. b. administration of IV heparin and monitoring of aPTT. c. administration of IV fluids and monitoring of kidney function. d. elevation of the legs and application of elastic compression stockings.

C Rationale: Postoperative priorities include administration of IV fluids and maintenance of renal perfusion. An adequate blood pressure is important for maintaining graft patency, and administration of IV fluids and blood components (as indicated) is essential for adequate blood flow. The nurse should evaluate renal function by measuring hourly urine output and monitoring daily blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels. Irreversible renal failure may occur after aortic surgery, particularly in individuals at high risk.

Rest pain is a manifestation of PAD that occurs due to a chronic a. vasospasm of small cutaneous arteries in the feet. b. increase in retrograde venous blood flow in the legs. c. decrease in arterial blood flow to the nerves of the feet. d. decrease in arterial blood flow to the leg muscles during exercise.

C Rationale: Rest pain most often occurs in the forefoot or toes and is aggravated by limb elevation. Rest pain occurs when blood flow is insufficient to meet basic metabolic requirements of the distal tissues. Rest pain occurs more often at night because cardiac output tends to drop during sleep and the limbs are at the level of the heart. Patients often try to achieve partial pain relief by dangling the leg over the side of the bed or sleeping in a chair to allow gravity to maximize blood flow.

A 50-year-old woman weighs 95 kg and has a history of tobacco use, high blood pressure, high sodium intake, and sedentary lifestyle. When developing an individualized care plan for her, the nurse determines that the most important risk factors for peripheral artery disease (PAD) that need to be modified are a. weight and diet. b. activity level and diet. c. tobacco use and high blood pressure. d. sedentary lifestyle and high blood pressure.

C Rationale: Significant risk factors for peripheral artery disease include tobacco use, hyperlipidemia, elevated levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, diabetes mellitus, and uncontrolled hypertension; the most important is tobacco use. Other risk factors include family history, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperuricemia, increasing age, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and stress.

A patient with infective endocarditis develops sudden left leg pain with pallor, paresthesia, and a loss of peripheral pulses. The nurse's initial action should be to a. elevate the leg to promote venous return. b. start anticoagulant therapy with IV heparin. c. notify the physician of the change in peripheral perfusion. d. place the bed in reverse Trendelenburg to promote perfusion.

C Rationale: The patient has potentially developed acute arterial ischemia (sudden interruption in the arterial blood supply to the extremity), caused by an embolism from a cardiac thrombus that occurred as a complication of infective endocarditis. Clinical manifestations of acute arterial ischemia include any or all of the six Ps : pain, pallor, paralysis, pulselessness, paresthesia, and poikilothermia. Without immediate intervention, ischemia may progress quickly to tissue necrosis and gangrene within a few hours. If the nurse detects these signs, the physician should be notified immediately.

A 32-yr-old woman is prescribed diltiazem (Cardizem) for Raynaud's phenomenon. To evaluate the effectiveness of the medication, which assessment will the nurse perform? Improved skin turgor Decreased cardiac rate Improved finger perfusion Decreased mean arterial pressure

C Raynaud's phenomenon is an episodic vasospastic disorder of small cutaneous arteries, most frequently involving the fingers and toes. Diltiazem (Cardizem) is a calcium channel blocker that relaxes smooth muscles of the arterioles by blocking the influx of calcium into the cells, thus reducing the frequency and severity of vasospastic attacks. Perfusion to the fingertips is improved, and vasospastic attacks are reduced. Diltiazem may decrease heart rate and blood pressure, but that is not the purpose in Raynaud's phenomenon. Skin turgor is most often a reflection of hydration status.

The nurse is caring for a preoperative patient who has an order for vitamin K by subcutaneous injection. The nurse should verify that which laboratory study is abnormal before administering the dose? Hematocrit (Hct) Hemoglobin (Hgb) Prothrombin time (PT) Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)

C Vitamin K counteracts hypoprothrombinemia and/or reverses the effects of warfarin (Coumadin) and thus decreases the risk of bleeding. High values for either the PT or the international normalized ratio demonstrate the need for this medication.

The nurse is caring for a patient who has been receiving warfarin (Coumadin) and digoxin (Lanoxin) as treatment for atrial fibrillation. Because the warfarin has been discontinued before surgery, the nurse should diligently assess the patient for which complication early in the postoperative period until the medication is resumed? Decreased cardiac output Increased blood pressure Cerebral or pulmonary emboli Excessive bleeding from incision or IV sites

C Warfarin is an anticoagulant that is used to prevent thrombi from forming on the walls of the atria during atrial fibrillation. When the medication is terminated, thrombi could again form. If one or more thrombi detach from the atrial wall, they could travel as cerebral emboli from the left atrium or pulmonary emboli from the right atrium.

What is a priority nursing intervention in the care of a patient with a diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)? Application of topical antibiotics to venous ulcers Maintaining the patient's legs in a dependent position Administration of oral and/or subcutaneous anticoagulants Teaching the patient the correct use of compression stockings

D CVI requires conscientious and consistent application of compression stockings. Anticoagulants are not necessarily indicated and antibiotics, if required, are typically oral or IV, not topical. The patient should avoid prolonged positioning with the limb in a dependent position.

In planning care and patient teaching for the patient with venous leg ulcers, the nurse recognizes that the most important intervention in healing and control of this condition is a. sclerotherapy. b. using moist environment dressings. c. taking horse chestnut seed extract daily. d. applying elastic compression stockings

D Rationale: Compression is essential for treating chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), healing venous ulcers, and preventing ulcer recurrence. Use of custom-fitted elastic compression stockings is one option for compression therapy.

The recommended treatment for an initial VTE in an otherwise healthy person with no significant co-morbidities would include a. IV argatroban (Acova) as an inpatient. b. IV unfractionated heparin as an inpatient. c. subcutaneous unfractionated heparin as an outpatient. d. subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin as an outpatient

D Rationale: Patients with confirmed VTE should receive initial treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), unfractionated heparin (UH), fondaparinux, or rivaroxaban, followed by warfarin for 3 months to maintain the international normalized ratio (INR) between 2.0 and 3.0 for 24 hours. Patients with multiple comorbid conditions, complex medical issues, or a very large VTE usually are hospitalized for treatment and typically receive intravenous UH. LMWH only for 3 months is another option for patients with acute VTE. Depending on the clinical presentation, patients often can be managed safely and effectively as outpatients

The patient reports tenderness when she touches her leg over a vein. The nurse assesses warmth and a palpable cord in the area. The nurse knows the patient needs treatment to prevent which sequela? Pulmonary embolism Pulmonary hypertension Post-thrombotic syndrome Venous thromboembolism

D The clinical manifestations are characteristic of a superficial vein thrombosis. If untreated, the clot may extend to deeper veins, and venous thromboembolism may occur. Pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension, and postthrombotic syndrome are the sequelae of venous thromboembolism.

A patient was admitted for possible ruptured aortic aneurysm. No back pain was reported. Ten minutes later, the nurse notes sinus tachycardia 138 beats/min, blood pressure is palpable at 65 mm Hg, increasing waist circumference, and no urine output. How should the nurse interpret the findings? Tamponade will soon occur. The renal arteries are involved. Perfusion to the legs is impaired. Bleeding into the abdomen is likely.

D The lack of back pain indicates the patient is most likely exsanguinating into the abdominal space, and the bleeding is likely to continue without surgical repair. A blockade of the blood flow will not occur in the abdominal space as it would in the retroperitoneal space, where surrounding anatomic structures may control the bleeding. The lack of urine output does not indicate renal artery involvement but that the bleeding is occurring above the renal arteries, which decreases the blood flow to the kidneys. There are no assessment data indicating decreased perfusion to the legs.

The nurse is preparing to administer a scheduled dose of enoxaparin (Lovenox) 30 mg subcutaneously. What should the nurse do to administer this medication correctly? Remove the air bubble in the prefilled syringe. Aspirate before injection to prevent IV administration. Rub the injection site after administration to enhance absorption. Pinch the skin between the thumb and forefinger before inserting the needle.

D The nurse should gather together or "bunch up" the skin between the thumb and the forefinger before inserting the needle into the subcutaneous tissue. The nurse should not remove the air bubble in the prefilled syringe, aspirate, nor rub the site after injection.

A 39-yr-old woman with a history of smoking and oral contraceptive use is admitted with a venous thromboembolism (VTE) and prescribed unfractionated heparin. What laboratory test should the nurse review to evaluate the expected effect of the heparin? Platelet count Activated clotting time (ACT) International normalized ratio (INR) Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT)

D Unfractionated heparin can be given by continuous IV for VTE treatment. When given IV, heparin requires frequent laboratory monitoring of clotting status as measured by activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Platelet counts can decrease as an adverse reaction to heparin.