Neurovascular assessment - important concepts Flashcards
What do veins do, as opposed to arteries?
Veins bring blood to the heart (mostly deoxygenated except for the pulmonary veins).
Arteries bring blood away from the heart (mostly oxygenated except for the pulmonary artery and its branches).
Veins have valves to prevent backflow and can accomodate bigger volumes of blood through stretching.
Arteries have a thick smooth muscle layer.
What is the pump for arteries? For veins?
Arterial pump is the heart.
Pump for veins is the calf
What systems are assessed during a neurovascular assessment?
Peripheral nervous and circulatory systems
What type of information are we looking for in a vascular part of the neurovascular assessment?
information related to circulation (arterial and venous) - such as:
colour, temperature, capillary refill, edema and pulse
What is evaluated for the neurological portion of the neurovascular assessment?
information related to movement and sensation
When would we perform a neurovascular assessment?
Trauma to limb - i.e. fracture
Presence of cast or other protective device
Surgery to a limb
presence of wound on a limb
conditions that may cause poor circulation (diabetes, heart failure)
Client complaining of discomfort in a limb
Smoking + other risk factors
Why do we perform a neurovascular assessment when a person has a cast?
External pressure on limb can compromise the arterial-venous system
The risk factors for neurovascular disease are the same as those for what?
Cardiovascular disease
Wearing down of valves or vessels causing fluid accumulation/pooling of blood
varicose veins
Change in the angle of the nail bed due to chronic hypoxia.
Clubbing
What is dependency of a limb?
Position where a limb is hanging.
What kind of pain do we see with venous problems?
Dull ache which does not come and go
What kind of pain do we see with arterial issues?
Pain during exertion but relieved when resting since the arterial system can keep up then
What is the difference between arterial insufficiency, and venous insufficiency?
Arterial insufficiency is usually due to some blockage causing reduced blood flow to the periphery.
Venous insufficiency is related to stretched out valves which results in pooling of blood, causing distension, edema and difficulty pumping the blood back to the heart
How is pain relieved for those with arterial insufficiency?
Relieved with short rest
How is venous insufficiency pain relieved?
When limb is elevated
What colour is a leg of arterial insufficiency when elevated? When dependent?
Elevated - pale
Dependency - rubor (red)
What kind of individual is susceptible to varicose veins without a ārealā pathophysiology?
Pregnant women
What is the difference in signs between venous and arterial insufficiency for: colour?
Arterial: pale/white
Venous: brown discolouration around ankles
What is the difference in signs between venous and arterial insufficiency for: Temperature?
Arterial: cool
Venous: consistent with rest of body
What is the difference in signs between venous and arterial insufficiency for: pulse?
Arterial: decreased or absent (decreased cap refill)
Venous: palpable unless there is a lot of edema
What is the difference in signs between venous and arterial insufficiency for: Edema
Arterial: absent or mild
Venous: usually present and can be severe
What is the difference in signs between venous and arterial insufficiency for: Skin changes?
Arterial: thin, shiny, thickened nails, less hair growth
Venous: venous stasis (brown discolouration)
What is the difference in signs between venous and arterial insufficiency for: ulcers?
Arterial: punched out, deep, distal locations (toes); pale/white, necrotic base, dry exchar covering
Venous: irregular borders, superficial medial malleolus, yellow exudate, granulation tissue
Why is their a brown discolouration for venous insufficiency?
Build-up of waste products, especially heme.
Why are the limbs pale or white for arterial insufficiency?
Lack of blood flow to limb - i.e. poor cap refill