Arterial Disorders (PAD, AAA & Raynaud's) Flashcards
What is the leading cause of PAD?
Atherosclerosis
What lab would be an indication of PAD?
Elevated CRP
Is CRP specific?
No, it is a non specific indication of inflammation
What will a cap refill look like for a patient with PAD?
Sluggish, > 3s
Will a patient with PAD have hair on the affected area?
No, due to lack of blood perfusion
What is intermittent claudication?
Pain that onsets during activity and stops with rest
What do the toenails of a patient with PAD look like?
Thickened and brittle
Skin temperature of PAD patient?
Cool
True or false: Arterial ulcers are full of exudate?
False
To calculate a Brachial index in the ankle, what number would you use as a denominator?
The highest systolic BP of either arm.
What tool do you use to obtain a brachial index systolic BP?
A Doppler
What nursing intervention will improve collateral circulation?
Walking exercises and resting with pain onset
What is the last resort intervention for a PAD patient?
Amputation
Name the procedure: Removal of plaque for a PAD patient
Atherectomy
This procedure is known as the PCI of peripheral artery disease?
Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA)
What determines the name of the BYPASS surgery for a PAD patient?
The location of the occlusion
When caring for Post-Op PAD patient, when should you notify the HCP?
Any changes in PVS status
True/False: A nurse can cut the toenails of a PAD patient?
False.
Symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
Typically asymptomatic, bruit my be present in abdomen, pulsatile mass in periumbilical area, back pain
What risk factor would warrant early detection?
Familiar links to AAA
What is considered a small aneurysm?
Less than 4 cm
True/False: A ruptured abdominal aorta has a high mortality rate
True
Which surgical intervention is less invasive with AAA?
Endovascular aneurysm repair
In an open aneurysm repair, what kind of graft is used?
Synthetic
After an abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, how should you position your patient?
lying flat
Post-op, where is your AAA patient going?
The ICU
Why would we not want a post-op AAA patient’s blood pressure to high?
It will rupture the graft
What is a possible GI complication after an AAA repair?
Paralytic ileus
Why would a nurse monitor urine output of a post-op AAA repair patient?
To ensure proper renal perfusion
What is raynaud’s phenomenon?
Episodic vasospastic disorder of the small cutaneous arteries mostly in fingers and toes
What precipitates raynaud’s phenomenon?
Extreme cold, emotional upset, tobacco and caffeine use
What is the first line medication used to treat raynaud’s ?
Slow release calcium channel blockers
