37 Vascular disorders
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.
A (Current research indicates that statin use by patients with PAD improves multiple outcomes.)
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 pseudophedrine (Sudafed) for cold symptoms. d. The patient avoids taking NSAID's.
A (Patients should avoid temperature extremes by exercising indoors when it's cold. To avoid burn injuries, the patient should use warm, rather than hot, water to warm the hands. Pseudophedrine is a vasoconstrictor, and should be avoided. There is no reason to avoid taking NSAID's with Raynaud's phenomenon.)
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.
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 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.
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 swelling, redness, and tenderness indicate venous thromboembolism (VTE).)
The HCP 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.
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 46-year-old is diagnosed with thromboangiitis obliterates (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.
a. Cessation of all tobacco use. -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 for this disease.
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 doornails 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.
a. Notify the surgeon and anesthesiologist. -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 indication embolization or graft occlusion. These findings should be reported to the HCP 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 HCP 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 leg.
An 80-year-old patient with a history of an abdominal aortic aneurysm arrives at the 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.
a. Obtain the blood pressure. -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 who is 2 days post-femoral-popliteal bypass graft to the right leg is being cared for on the vascular unit. Which action by an LPN/LVN caring for the patient requires the 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 placed the patient in a Fowler's position for meals.
a. The LPN/LVN has the patient sit in a chair for 90 minutes. -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 VTE. The other actions are appropriate.
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 bend across my legs or waist." b. use a heating pad on my feet at night to increase circulation and warmth in my feet." c. change my position every hours 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."
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 HCP 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.
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 affect by VTE.)
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 greed, 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."
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.)
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."
b. "It is very important that you stop smoking cigarettes." -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.
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 HCP? a. Presence of flatus. b. Loose, bloody stools. c. Hypoactive bowel sounds. d. Abdominal pain with palpation.
b. Loose, bloody stools. -Loose, bloody stools at this time may indicate 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.
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.
b. Monitor fluid intake and urine output. -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.
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.
b. Obtain vital signs. -Bleeding is a possible complication after catheterization of the femoral artery, so the nurse's first action should e to assess for changes in VS that might indicate hemorrhage. The other actions are also appropriate but can be done after determining that bleeding is not occurring
A patient with a 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 thinner 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."
c (Low molecular weight herparin (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 of pulmonary embolism, and two are not necessary to reduce the risk for another VTE. Furthermore, anticoagulants should not be described as blood thinners.)
After receiving report, which patient admitted to the ED 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.
c. 50-year-old who is complaining of sudden "sharp" and "worst ever" upper back pain. -The patient's presentation is consistent with dissecting thoracic aneurysm, which will require rapid intervention. The other patients do not need urgent interventions.
The nurse is caring for a patient with a descending aortic dissection. Which assessment finding is most important to report to the HCP? a. Weak pedal pulses. b. Absent bowel sounds. c. Blood pressure 137/88 mmHg. d. 25 mL urine output over last hour.
c. Blood pressure 137/88 mmHg. -The blood pressure is typical kept at less than 120 mmHg systolic to minimize extension of the dissection. The nurse will need to notify the HCP too that B-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 attention.
A 23-year-old patient tells the HCP 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.
c. autoimmune disorders. -Secondary Raynaud's phenomenon may occur in conjunction with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Patients should be screen for autoimmune disorders. Raynaud's phenomenon is not associated with hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, or CAD.
When discussing risk factor modifications 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.
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.)
Several hours after an open surgical repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, the UAP reports to the nurse that the urinary output for the past 2 hours has been 40 mL. The nurse notifies the HCP 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.
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 contribute to the patient's decreased urinary output.)
A 73-year-old with chronic A-Fib develops sudden severe pain, pulselessness, pallor, and coolness in the right leg. The nurse should notify the HCP 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.
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.)
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."
d. "My legs cramp whenever i walk more than a block." -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.
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.
d. Check for presence of lipodermatosclerosis. -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.
The nurse reviews the admission orders shown in the accompanying figure for a patient newly diagnosed with PAD. 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.
d. Combined clopidogrel and omeprazole therapy. -Because he anti platelet effect of clopidogrel is reduced when it is used with omeprazole, the nurse should clarify this prescription with the HCP. The other interventions are appropriate for a patient with PAD.
Which nursing interventions fora patient who had an open repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm 2 days previously is appropriate for the nurse to delegate to 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.
d. Help the patient to use a pillow to splint while coughing. -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 RN's.
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.
trouble swallowing. (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.)
