Ineffective Tissue Perfusion: Peripheral Vascular Disease Flashcards
What is the primary cause of peripheral vascular disease (PVD)?
A) Hypertension
B) Atherosclerosis
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Heart failure
B) Atherosclerosis
Rationale: The most common cause of PVD is atherosclerosis, which leads to the narrowing of peripheral blood vessels and reduced blood flow.
What is the earliest symptom of peripheral vascular disease?
A) Non-healing wounds
B) Weak pulses
C) Intermittent claudication
D) Skin ulcerations
C) Intermittent claudication
Rationale: The first noticeable symptom of PVD is intermittent claudication, which is pain in the legs due to decreased oxygen supply to muscles during activity.
Which vascular condition is associated with vasospasms and is often triggered by cold exposure or stress?
A) Buerger disease
B) Raynaud’s phenomenon
C) Deep vein thrombosis
D) Varicose veins
B) Raynaud’s phenomenon
Rationale: Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition that leads to episodic vasospasms in the fingers and toes, often triggered by cold exposure or stress, causing color changes (white, blue, red).
Which condition is characterized by inflammatory thrombosis in small and medium-sized arteries and is strongly associated with smoking?
A) Raynaud’s phenomenon
B) Buerger disease
C) Chronic venous insufficiency
D) Arterial embolism
B) Buerger disease
Rationale: Buerger disease (Thromboangiitis obliterans) is an inflammatory condition that affects small and medium arteries, leading to ischemia. It is strongly associated with smoking.
A 65-year-old male patient complains of leg pain when walking, which improves with rest. On examination, his legs have shiny skin, weak pulses, and thickened toenails. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
B) Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
C) Chronic venous insufficiency
D) Lymphedema
A) Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
Rationale: Intermittent claudication, shiny skin, weak pulses, and thickened toenails are classic signs of PVD due to poor blood circulation in the lower extremities.
A patient with Raynaud’s phenomenon is advised to avoid which of the following?
A) Cold exposure and emotional stress
B) Increasing water intake
C) Wearing warm gloves
D) Taking vasodilators
A) Cold exposure and emotional stress
Rationale: Raynaud’s phenomenon is triggered by cold temperatures and stress, which cause vasospasms. Patients should keep extremities warm and manage stress levels.
Which diagnostic test is commonly used to confirm peripheral vascular disease (PVD)?
A) Echocardiogram
B) Chest X-ray
C) Ultrasound/angiography
D) Pulmonary function test
C) Ultrasound/angiography
Rationale: Ultrasound and angiography are used to evaluate blood flow and identify narrowed or blocked arteries in patients with PVD.
A patient with Buerger disease continues to experience worsening symptoms despite medical treatment. What is the most critical lifestyle modification the patient must adopt?
A) Reduce caffeine intake
B) Increase hydration
C) Stop smoking
D) Wear compression stockings
C) Stop smoking
Rationale: Buerger disease is strongly linked to smoking, and stopping tobacco use is the most critical intervention to slow disease progression.
What is the primary treatment approach for peripheral vascular disease?
A) Controlling risk factors
B) Immediate surgical intervention
C) Steroid therapy
D) Thrombolytic therapy
A) Controlling risk factors
Rationale: Managing risk factors (such as smoking cessation, exercise, and medication) is the first-line treatment for PVD. More invasive treatments like angioplasty or bypass surgery are considered in severe cases.
A 52-year-old woman complains of pain in her fingers that turns white, then blue, then red in response to cold exposure. What condition is this, and what type of medication is commonly used to manage it?
A) Buerger disease; anticoagulants
B) Peripheral vascular disease; thrombolytics
C) Raynaud’s phenomenon; calcium channel blockers
D) Atherosclerosis; statins
C) Raynaud’s phenomenon; calcium channel blockers
Rationale: Raynaud’s phenomenon causes vasospastic attacks, leading to color changes in the fingers/toes. Calcium channel blockers (e.g., nifedipine) are used to help relax blood vessels.
Which surgical procedures may be used to treat severe peripheral vascular disease (PVD)?
A) Angioplasty and bypass surgery
B) Pacemaker insertion
C) Coronary artery stent placement
D) Catheter ablation
A) Angioplasty and bypass surgery
Rationale: In severe cases of PVD, surgical procedures like angioplasty (to open narrowed arteries) or bypass surgery (to redirect blood flow) may be necessary.
