Peripheral & Vascular Disorders Flashcards
Arteries / Arterioles
Take oxygenated blood away from the heart
- thick walls
Veins / Venules
Deoxygenated back to the heart
- thin walls
What is Intermittent Claudication?
- What type of disorder is intermittent claudication?
- When does intermittent claudication occur?
KNOW THIS!!!
Pain in the calf due to lack of blood flow
- ARTERIAL DISORDER
- Occurs with activity & stops with rest
What is Rest Pain?
- What type of disorder is rest pain?
KNOW THIS!!!
NO blood flow to the legs when there is no demand (pain in the legs at rest)
- VASCULAR DISORDER
Primary goals for patients with arterial disorders
- prevent compression
- pain relief
- maintain tissue integrity
What is the difference in appearances of a venous vs. arterial disorder?
KNOW THIS!!!
Venous = “brown sock”
* RBCs aren’t breaking down & going back to the heart
Arterial =
* red when walking
* cold & pale at rest
Strategies for improving arterial circulation
KNOW THESE!!!
- Exercise
- Neutral or dangling position
- Avoid cold temperature
- Medications (statins, BP, & pain management)
Describe the positioning of the lower extremities for arterial vs. venous circulation disorders
KNOW THIS!!!
ARTERIAL = neutral or dependent (dangling)
venous = elevated
Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease
- Hallmark Sign / Symptom
- What is seen on the assessment?
Hallmark S/S = intermittent claudication
Assessment Findings:
* Sensation - coldness & numbness
* Color - pale when elevated, ruddy when dependent
* Diminished peripheral pulses
The nurse is teaching a patient diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease (PAD).. What should be included in the teaching plan?
a.) Elevate the lower extremities
b.) Exercise is discouraged
c.) Keep the lower extremities in a neutral or dependent position
d.) PAD should not cause pain
c.) Keep the lower extremities in a neutral or dependent position
Signs & Symptoms of Thoracic Aneurysm
KNOW THIS!!!
Sharp, shearing, tearing pain
ABOVE the diaphragm
Signs & Symptoms of an impending abdominal aneurysm rupture
KNOW THIS!!!
- Severe back pain
OR - Severe abdominal pain - localized to back or mid-abdomen
- ↓ BP
- ↓ Hemoglobin
- Hematoma in the flank
Nursing Management after repair of an Aneurysm (endovascular repair)
KNOW THIS!!!
- Supine for first 6 hours; then HOB can be at 45 degrees after 2 hours
- Vitals & doppler assessment of peripheral pulses every 15 minutes
- Assess access site every 15 minutes
- Assess for bleeding, swelling, pain, hematoma formation, or other skin chances in lower extremities
- Temperature every 4 hours (may indicate post-implant syndrome)
