Peripheral Vascular (complete) Flashcards
Vascular system transports…?
fluid, blood, and lymph
Vascular System contains…?
**Three main components
Arteries
Capillaries
Veins
Arteries transport what (kind of blood) and from what direction?
transports oxygenated blood
away from the heart to the body tissues
Elastic arteries
(Large): Aorta and its
major branches, and trunk of pulmonary
artery, contain more elastic fibers
Muscular arteries
(Medium): contain more
smooth muscle
Arterioles
(Small): play a role in regulating
blood flow and blood pressure
Arterial blockages (two types)
Complete leads to tissue death
Partial blockage leads to ischemia
Capillaries
links arterioles to veins with venules
Venules
tiny blood vessels that connect capillaries to veins
Veins transport what (kind of blood) and from what direction?
collects deoxygenated blood from the periphery/
body tissues and returns it to the heart
Direction of blood flow (order)
Arteries-Arterioles-Capillaries-Venules-Veins
Arteries of the arm:
Brachial artery:
Radial artery/pulse:
Ulnar artery
Which arteries do we check bilaterally?
Radial, Carotid, Dorsalis pedis
Wheat does an Allen’s test check for?
Ulnar and Radial perfusion
Peripheral arteries
-Femoral
-Popliteal
-Pedal Pulses
Dorsalis Pedis (DP) Pulse
Posterior Tibial (PT) Pulse
Grading pulses—0-3
-3+: full, bounding
- 2+: brisk, normal
- 1+: Diminished, weak, thready
- 0: absent
Developmental Considerations: adults
- DP and PT pulses may become more difficult to find
- Trophic changes associated with arterial insufficiency
may be seen
Thin, shiny skin
Thick, ridged nails
Loss of hair on lower legs
ABI
Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI)
Assesses for PAD
Pitting Edema Scale 1-4
-1+: Barely detectable impression when finger is pressed
into skin. May have mild pitting, slight indent, no
perceptible swelling of legs
-2+: Slight indentation; 15 seconds to rebound
-3+: Deeper (pitting) indentation, 30 seconds to
rebound, leg looks swollen
-4+: >30 seconds to rebound, leg is severely swollen
Types of peripheral edema
-Pitting
-Chronic venous insufficiency
-Lymphedema
Developmental Considerations: Pregnant women
-Edema: expect diffuse bilateral pitting edema in the lower
extremities, especially at the end of the day and into the
third trimester
-Varicose veins: often seen in the
third trimester
The veins are dilated and tortuous.
The vein walls may feel somewhat thickened
Classic Symptoms of PAD
- Ischemic muscle pain that is
caused by a constant level of exercise
-Resolves within 10 minutes or less with rest
-Reproducible
PAD presentation
-Paresthesia: numbness or tingling in the toes or feet
-Loss of pressure and deep pain sensation
-Thin, shiny, and taut skin
-Loss of hair on the lower legs
-Diminished or absent pulses (lesion) at any point in LE circulation
Ulcers develop from inadequate circulation
High risk for gangrene
-Pallor of foot with leg elevation
-Pain at rest
Occurs in the foot or toes
Aggravated by limb elevation
Occurs from insufficient blood flow
Occurs more often at night
Peripheral Vascular Disease presentation
ARMS
Raynaud phenomenon
Lymphedema
Legs
Arterial-ischemic ulcer
Venous (stasis) ulcer
Superficial varicose veins
Deep vein thrombophlebitis
Aneurysms
Occlusions
Lymphatic system includes…
spleen, thymus, lymph nodes and lymph channels, as well as the tonsils and adenoids.
what does lymphatic system do?
Drains excess fluid from body tissues/interstitial spaces and
returns it to the venous circulation
superficial lymph nodes
Cervical nodes
Axillary nodes
Nodes in the arms and legs
Lymphatic system functions
Continuously filters blood
Filters foreign material: engulf cellular debris and bacteria and produce antibodies
Form a major part of immune system that defends body against disease
Serves as a reservoir for T-cells and B-cells
Conserve fluid and plasma proteins that leak out of capillaries
Absorb lipids from intestinal tract
Superficial inguinal nodes
Horizontal group
Vertical group
Lymphedema
buildup of lymphatic fluid in the body, obstructed lymphatic drainage, is usually not
compressible.
Lymphadenopathy
enlarged/swollen lymph nodes, with or without tenderness.
Can be local or generalized
Can be caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections
