Chapter 26: Drugs Used to Treat Peripheral Vascular Disease

The nurse is assessing the patient's leg for peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and is unable to palpate the pedal pulse in either foot. Which action will the nurse take first?

Obtain a Doppler ultrasound device for auscultation.

What will the nurse include in the discharge teaching plan for a patient with PVD? (Select all that apply.)

Stress reduction techniques An exercise program Bed positioning techniques

The nurse is preparing to provide personal care to a patient with peripheral vascular disease. When providing foot care, the nurse will:

change socks daily.

The nurse has admitted a resident with the diagnosis of PVD to a long term care facility. When providing care to this patient, the nurse will: (Select all that apply.)

implement pain management as ordered. assess skin temperature. palpate pedal pulses.

The nurse observes a patient taking papaverine hydrochloride to be flushed and diaphoretic following the initial dose. The nurse's best response is to:

provide comfort measures.

When assessing a client recently prescribed pentoxifylline (Trental), which medication will alert the nurse to monitor closely for adverse effects?

Antihypertensive

The nurse is preparing a teaching plan for a patient with Raynaud's disease who is soon to be discharged. What information will be included to improve circulation and prevent complications of this disease? (Select all that apply.)

Begin a daily exercise program. Keep hands and feet warm.

Which are necessary steps in the assessment of the patient preparing for treatment PVD with pentoxifylline (Trental)? (Select all that apply.)

Check for intolerance to caffeine. Obtain baseline data on pain that may be present. Perform baseline gastrointestinal assessment to determine if the patient has nausea, vomiting, or dyspepsia. Ask specifically if the patient has any cardiac symptoms or dizziness.

Which patient statement indicates to the nurse that the patient has a good understanding of PVD?

Controlling contributing factors may affect the progression of the disease."

The nurse advises a patient taking papaverine to consult the health care provider or pharmacist before taking which over the counter (OTC) medication?

Cough and cold remedies

The nurse has completed teaching to a patient recently prescribed cilostazol (Pletal). Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?

Grapefruit juice will increase the effects of this medication."

Which are included in the baseline assessment of PVD? (Select all that apply.)

History of heart disease Smoking and dietary habits Current medications Weight Limb pain

The nurse is assessing a patient on papaverine therapy and notes tachycardia, which is a compensatory effect of which condition?

Hypotension

A patient has recently been prescribed cilostazol (Pletal). Which statement by the patient indicates that this medication is effective?

I have less leg cramping when I walk."

Which assessment verifies increased blood perfusion to the lower extremities?

Increased amplitude of pedal pulses

What is the action of pentoxifylline (Trental), a hemorheologic agent used to treat chronic occlusive arteriole disease?

Increases erythrocyte flexibility