Peripheral Vascular Assessment Flashcards
What do arteries do?
- bring oxygen rich blood away from heart
- they are thick and elastic
- easy to palpate
What do veins do?
- bring deoxygenated blood to heart
- thin walls but larger in diameter than arteries
- have valves to prevent back flow of blood
What do capillaries do?
- gas exchange
- smalles vessels in the body
What do lymphatics do?
- transport fluid back to vascular system
- plays a role in body defence & immunity
3 functions of peripheral vascular system?
- deliver oxygen & nutrients to body
- transport carbon dioxide out of body
- maintain adequate perfusion of the tissues & organs
What is edema?
increase fluid in interstitial space
Characteristics of a pulse?
- rate
- rhythm (regular, irregular)
- symmetry (compare all assessments bilaterally)
note* if pulse is irregular, take apical pulse for 1 min
if trauma is present: take pulse above & below area to verify if there is blood supply
dopler?
pulse ultrasound machine
Would chart?
- colour
- sensation
- movement
- tingling
PVS landmarks in arm?
- carotid artery
- subclavian artery
- brachiocephalic artery
- brachial artery
- axillary artery
- ulnar artery
- radial artery
PVS landmarks in leg?
- common iliac
- iliac
- femoral
- popliteal (behind knee)
- anterior tibial (ankle)
- posterior tibial (ankle)
- dorsal pedis (on top of foot)
Reason for seeking care?
- pain
- edema
- skin changes in the extremities (dirty brown)
- temperature changes
- changes in sensation
Orthostatic hypotension could indicate?
venous return problem
Ulcer on inside of ankle bone (medial malleolus) could indicate?
venous problem
pitting edema?
indentation stays in skin when finger is released
Palpation-bilateral: arms & hands?
Circulation, Sensation, Movement, Brachial & Radial pulses, Cap refill, Edema
Palpation-bilateral:legs & feet?
Circulation, Sensation, Movement, Femoral, Popliteal, Dorsal pedis pulses, Posterior Tibial pulses, edema
Auscultation?
-Blood Pressure- bilateral
Lying
Sitting
-carotid pulse
Arterial Insufficiency?
- Cause: Inadequate circulation in the arterial system usually caused by the buildup of fatty plaque or calcifications of the arterial wall
- Pulse: diminished/absent
-Skin: Cool, Shiny, Pale on elevation
Red when dependent. can turn black
-Pain: Deep muscle pain
Gnawing, sharp or stabbing
increases with exercise
- Ulcer Site: Calf of the leg, lower leg or top of foot
- Edema: Present
- Relief: Rest
Venous Insufficiency
- Cause: Inadequate circulation in the venous system, usually caused by incompetent valves in deep veins or a blood clot in the veins
- Pulse: Present
-Skin: Warm, thickened & brown
Cyanosis, red = clot
- Pain: Aching or feeling of fullness Intensifies with prolonged standing or sitting in one position
- Ulcer Site: Medial malleolus
- Edema: Present; varicosities may be present
- Relief: Elevating leg, Walking