A 65-year-old patient with a history of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) presents to the clinic with complaints of intermittent claudication in the right leg. Which of the following management strategies should the nurse prioritize to improve the patient’s condition?
Encourage the patient to engage in regular low-impact exercise.
Advise the patient to limit fluid intake to prevent edema.
Instruct the patient to wear tight-fitting shoes to improve circulation.
Recommend strict bed rest to minimize pain.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Low-impact exercise, like walking, enhances collateral circulation in PAD, increasing blood flow to ischemic muscles. It reduces claudication by stimulating angiogenesis and improving endothelial function, a cornerstone of evidence-based management to alleviate symptoms effectively.
Choice B reason: Limiting fluid intake addresses edema, not a primary PAD issue, which involves arterial insufficiency, not venous stasis. This strategy lacks scientific support for claudication relief, as hydration status doesn’t directly influence arterial perfusion.
Choice C reason: Tight shoes restrict circulation, worsening PAD by compressing arteries and exacerbating ischemia. Proper footwear is essential, but constriction contradicts vascular physiology, potentially increasing pain and tissue damage rather than improving blood flow.
Choice D reason: Bed rest reduces activity, promoting stasis and deconditioning in PAD, worsening claudication. Immobility decreases muscle pump action and collateral flow, conflicting with evidence that exercise improves symptoms, making this detrimental to recovery.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: Bradypnea (slow breathing) isn’t typical in asthma exacerbation; tachypnea occurs due to airway obstruction. Reduced respiratory rate suggests fatigue or resolution, not active exacerbation, contradicting the physiology of acute bronchoconstriction.
Choice B reason: Wheezing results from turbulent airflow through narrowed bronchioles in asthma exacerbation. It’s a hallmark sign, reflecting reversible obstruction from inflammation and bronchospasm, consistently present during acute episodes requiring intervention.
Choice C reason: Bradycardia isn’t associated with asthma exacerbation; tachycardia is common from hypoxia and stress. Slow heart rate may indicate severe hypoxia late-stage, but it’s not a typical finding in active exacerbation.
Choice D reason: Accessory muscle use (e.g., sternocleidomastoid) compensates for obstructed airflow in asthma exacerbation. It reflects increased work of breathing due to bronchoconstriction, a frequent physical sign during acute respiratory distress.
Choice E reason: Decreased oxygen saturation occurs in asthma exacerbation from ventilation-perfusion mismatch. Inflamed airways limit oxygen delivery, dropping SpO2 below 95%, a common finding necessitating bronchodilators and oxygen therapy.
Correct Answer is ["A","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: Cilostazol inhibits phosphodiesterase III, increasing cyclic AMP, which dilates arteries and reduces platelet aggregation. This improves blood flow and reduces intermittent claudication in PAD, directly targeting vascular symptoms by enhancing circulation and preventing thrombosis, making it a primary treatment option.
Choice B reason: Ramipril, an ACE inhibitor, lowers blood pressure and protects vascular endothelium, benefiting PAD indirectly. It reduces cardiovascular strain but doesn’t directly improve limb perfusion or claudication, so it’s not a primary PAD medication despite its role in managing comorbidities like hypertension.
Choice C reason: Metoprolol, a beta-blocker, slows heart rate and reduces myocardial oxygen demand, useful in heart disease. In PAD, it may worsen claudication by reducing peripheral blood flow via vasoconstriction, making it less commonly prescribed specifically for PAD management.
Choice D reason: Aspirin inhibits cyclooxygenase, reducing thromboxane A2 and platelet aggregation. This antiplatelet action prevents clot formation in narrowed PAD arteries, improving outcomes by reducing thrombotic events, making it a standard, evidence-based therapy for symptom relief and risk reduction.
Choice E reason: Clopidogrel blocks ADP receptors on platelets, preventing aggregation and thrombus formation. In PAD, it reduces ischemic events and improves patency, often used alone or with aspirin, making it a key medication for managing vascular complications and symptoms.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.