Peripheral Vascular & Lymph System

Question 1

Differentiate Arteries from Veins.

Answer 1

Arteries are responsible for carrying oxygen rich blood from the heart throughout the body via a high pressure system of smooth muscle walls that allow both constriction and dilation.
Veins carry blood and CO2 back to the heart via a low pressure system that only expand when absolutely necessary.

Question 2

Name the peripheral pulses and where they are found.

Answer 2

Peripheral Pulses include;
Femoral Arteries, that lie half way between the pubis and anterior superior illiac spines)
Popliteal Pulse is found FINISH THIS
Posterior Tibial Pulse which can be found at FINISH THIS
and the Dorsalis Pedis Pulse which lies on the top of the foot just parallel to the extensor tendon of the big toe.

Question 3

Which peripheral pulse is likely to require a doppler in order to locate and hear it?

Answer 3

Typically the Dorsalis Pedis Pulse may require a doppler in order to listen in.

Question 4

What patient population is at a highger risk for Peripheral Artery Disease? What are risk factors associated with PAD?

Answer 4

Older adult patients are often higher risk factors to PAD due to Aterioscelosis (stiffening of arteries) and atherioscelosis (fatty deposits into lymph tissue) that occur with age, symptoms of which are poor wound healing and painful walking.
Other risk factors for PAD include smoking, diabetes, and hypertension.
Other less strong risk factors include obesity and elevated cholesterol.

Question 5

What is the pitting scale for Edema and what does each level on the scale mean?

Answer 5

Edema is simply swelling due to fluids leaking from vessels. That being said “Pitting Edema” occurs when you press your fingers into an area for 5 seconds and upon lifting your fingers indentations are left.
The Pitting Scale is as follows:
1+ Mild pittling, slgiht indentation, but no perceptable swelling of the leg.
2+ Moderate pitting with indentations subsiding rapidly
3+ Deep pitting, leg looks swollen, and indentations remain for a short time
4+ Very Deep pitting, leg is grossly swollen and distorted, and indentaions remain for a long time.