Arterial Disorders (PAD, AAA & Raynaud's)

Question 1

What is the leading cause of PAD?

Answer 1

Atherosclerosis

Question 2

What lab would be an indication of PAD?

Answer 2

Elevated CRP

Question 3

Is CRP specific?

Answer 3

No, it is a non specific indication of inflammation

Question 4

What will a cap refill look like for a patient with PAD?

Answer 4

Sluggish, > 3s

Question 5

Will a patient with PAD have hair on the affected area?

Answer 5

No, due to lack of blood perfusion

Question 6

What is intermittent claudication?

Answer 6

Pain that onsets during activity and stops with rest

Question 7

What do the toenails of a patient with PAD look like?

Answer 7

Thickened and brittle

Question 8

Skin temperature of PAD patient?

Answer 8

Cool

Question 9

True or false: Arterial ulcers are full of exudate?

Answer 9

False

Question 10

To calculate a Brachial index in the ankle, what number would you use as a denominator (bottom)?

Answer 10

The highest systolic BP of either arm.

ankle/arm

Question 11

What tool do you use to obtain a brachial index systolic BP?

Answer 11

A Doppler

Question 12

What nursing intervention will improve collateral circulation?

Answer 12

Walking exercises and resting with pain onset

Question 13

What is the last resort intervention for a PAD patient?

Answer 13

Amputation

Question 14

Name the procedure: Removal of plaque for a PAD patient

Answer 14

Atherectomy

Question 15

What procedure is known as the PCI of peripheral artery disease?

PCI = (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention)

a catheter is inserted into the blocked or narrowed coronary artery. A balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated to compress the plaque and widen the artery. Often, a stent (a small mesh tube) is permanently placed in the artery to keep it open.

Answer 15

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA)
It involves inserting a catheter with a balloon at the tip into the narrowed artery. The balloon is then inflated to compress the plaque and widen the artery, improving blood flow.

PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) and PTA (Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty) are similar catheter-based procedures, but they target different arteries.
PCI - treats obstructive coronary artery disease (in the heart’s arteries)
PTA - treats peripheral artery disease (typically in the legs.)

Question 16

What determines the name of the BYPASS surgery for a PAD patient?

Answer 16

The location of the occlusion

Question 17

When caring for Post-Op PAD patient, when should you notify the HCP?

Answer 17

Any changes in PVS status

Question 18

True/False: A nurse can cut the toenails of a PAD patient?

Answer 18

False.

Question 19

Symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

Answer 19

Typically asymptomatic, bruit my be present in abdomen, pulsatile mass in periumbilical area, back pain

Question 20

What risk factor would warrant early detection?

Answer 20

Familiar links to AAA

Question 21

What is considered a small aneurysm?

Answer 21

Less than 4 cm

Question 22

True/False: A ruptured abdominal aorta has a high mortality rate

Answer 22

True

Question 23

Which surgical intervention is less invasive with AAA?

Answer 23

Endovascular aneurysm repair

compared to Open aneurysm repair (OAR)

Question 24

In an open aneurysm repair, what kind of graft is used?

Answer 24

Synthetic

Question 25

After an abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, how should you position your patient?

Answer 25

lying flat

Question 26

Post-op, where is your AAA patient going?

Answer 26

The ICU

Question 27

Why would we not want a post-op AAA patient’s blood pressure to high?

Answer 27

It will rupture the graft

Question 28

What is a possible GI complication after an AAA repair?

Answer 28

Paralytic ileus

Question 29

Why would a nurse monitor urine output of a post-op AAA repair patient?

Answer 29

To ensure proper renal perfusion

Question 30

What is raynaud’s phenomenon?

Answer 30

Episodic vasospastic disorder of the small cutaneous arteries mostly in fingers and toes

Question 31

What precipitates raynaud’s phenomenon?

Answer 31

Extreme cold, emotional upset, tobacco and caffeine use

Question 32

What is the first line medication used to treat raynaud’s ?

Answer 32

Slow release calcium channel blockers