Lesson 14: Assessing Peripheral Vascular System Flashcards
are blood vessels that carry oxygenated,
nutrient rich blood from the heart to the
capillaries.
● arterial network is a high-pressure
system
● are located in protected areas, far from
the surface of the skin.
Artery
Major Arteries of the Arm
Brachial Artery
● Radial Artery
● Ulnar Artery
● Femoral Artery
● Popliteal Artery
● Dorsalis Pedis Artery
● Posterior Tibial Artery
Major Arteries of the Leg
Intermittent claudication to sharp,
unrelenting, constant
● Pain:
Diminished or absent
PulseS
○ Elevation pallor of foot
○ Dry, shiny skin
○ Cool-to-cold temperature
○ Loss of hair over toes and
dorsum of foot
○ Nails thickened and ridged
Skin Characteristics: Dependent rubor
● Location: Tips of toes, toe webs, heel or
other pressure areas if confined to bed.
● Pain: Very painful
● Depth of ulcer: Deep, often involving
joint space
● Shape: Circular
Ulcer Base: Pale black to dry and
gangrene
● Leg edema: Minimal unless extremity
kept in dependent position constantly to
relieve pain
Arterial Ulcer
are the blood vessels that carry
deoxygenated, nutrient depleted,
waste-laden blood from the tissues back
to the heart
● veins of the arms, upper trunk, head,
and neck carry blood to the superior
vena cava, where it passes into the right
atrium
● Blood from the lower trunk and legs
drains upward into the inferior vena
cava.
● veins contain nearly 70% of the body’s
blood volume
● vein walls are much thinner
● veins are larger in diameter than
arteries and can expand if blood volume
increases
Veins
Pain: Aching, Cramping
● Pulses: Present but may be difficult to
palpate through edema
● Skin Characteristics:
○ Pigmentation in gaitor area (area
of medial and lateral malleolus)
○ Skin thickened and tough
○ May be reddish-blue in color
○ Frequently associated with
dermatitis
Venous Insufficiency
Location: Medial malleolus or anterior
tibial area
● Pain: If superficial, minimal pain; but
may be very painful
● Depth of ulcer: Superficial
● Shape: Irregular Border
● Ulcer Base: Granulation tissue-beefy red
to yellow fibrinous in chronic long-term
ulcer
● Leg edema: Moderate to severe
Ulcer
are small blood vessels that
form the connection between the
arterioles and venules and allow the
circulatory system to maintain the vital
equilibrium between the vascular and
interstitial spaces
Capillaries
true or false Oxygen, water, and nutrients in the
interstitial fluid are delivered by the
arterial vessels to the microscopic
capillaries.
true
(generated by the
blood pressure) is the primary
mechanism by which the interstitial fluid
diffuses out of the capillaries and enters
the tissue space
Hydrostatic force
The _____ ______ releases the oxygen,
water, and nutrients and picks up waste
products such as carbon dioxide and
other by-products of cellular
metabolism.
interstitial fluid
The fluid then reenters the capillaries by
osmotic pressure and is transported
away from the tissues and interstitial
spaces by ____ ________
venous circulation
an integral and complementary
component of the circulatory system, is
a complex vascular system composed of
lymphatic capillaries, lymphatic vessels,
and lymph nodes:
Lymphatic System
Caused by abnormal or blocked lymph
vessels
● Non Pitting
● Usually bilateral , may be unilateral
● No skin ulceration or pigmentation
Edema Associated with Lymphedema
Caused by obstruction or insufficiency of
deep veins
Usually unilateral; may be bilateral
● Skin ulceration and pigmentation may
be present
Edema Associated with Chronic Venous
Insufficiency
= slight pitting
1+
deeper than 1+
2+
noticeably deep pit;
extremity looks larger
3+
very deep pit; gross edema
in extremity
4+
Disorders of the peripheral vascular
system may develop rapidly. Severe
symptoms may not occur until there is
extensive damage
false - gradualy
true or false It
is also important for the nurse to ask about
personal and family history of vascular disease.
true
