NUR 240 ch 26 PVD Flashcards
functions of the vascular system
include supplying the circulatory needs of tissue
maintaining blood flow and blood pressure providing capillary filtration and reabsorption hemodynamic resistance
intermittent claudication
a muscular, cramplike pain or fatigue in the extremities consistently reproduced with the same degree of exercise or activity and relieved by rest
rest pain
persistent pain the the foot or digits when the patient is resting, indicating a severe degree of arterial insufficiency and critical state of ischemia
rubor
reddish-blue discoloration of the extremities; indicative of severe peripheral arterial damage in vessels that remain dilated and unable to constrict
atherosclerosis
Filling of the vessel with cholesterol, lipids, fats, plaque = small lumen and diameter
inflammatory process involving the accusation of lipids, calcium, blood components, carbs, and fibrous tissue on the intimal layer of a large or medium sized artery
arteriosclerosis
hardening of the arteries - loose elasticity
diffuse process where the muscle fibers thicken and the endothelial lining of the walls of SMALL arteries and arterioles become thickened
what is the driving force that moves blood through the vascular system
contraction
intermittent claudication is caused by
the inability of the arterial system to provide adequate blood flow to the tissues when there is increased demands for nutrients and oxygen during exercise
intermittent claudication is relieved by
rest (decrease in metabolic needs)
assessing the ____ is important in assessing the status of peripheral arterial circulation
presence or absence and the quality of peripheral pulses
absence of peripheral pulses may indicate
stenosis (narrowing or constriction)
aging adult considerations for changes in vessels
aging produces changes in the walls of the blood vessels that affect the transport of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues
can cause vessels to stiffen and results in:
increased peripheral resistance
impaired blood flow
increased left ventricular workload
physical assessment findings of an impaired vascular system
skin (cool, pale, pallor, rubor (red color),
loss of hair,
brittle nails,
dry or scaling skin,
atrophy,
ulcerations (shallow, circular, pale, not a lot of drainage)
pulses=weak
Ankle-brachial index (ABI)
take BP on arm, take BP on leg, compare the values
looking for a 1:1 ratio
major goals for someone with peripheral vascular problems
increase arterial blood supply
decrease in venous congestion
promotion of vasodilation and prevention of vascular compression
relief of pain
maintenance of tissue integrity