How would a nurse best describe the assessment of stasis dermatitis in a patient with peripheral vascular disease (PVD)?
Ulceration on the medial surface of the lower legs.
Brownish skin discoloration on the lower legs.
Edema in the lower legs.
Purple rash on the medial surface of the lower legs.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Ulceration on the medial surface of the lower legs is not the best description of stasis dermatitis in a patient with peripheral vascular disease (PVD). While ulcers can occur in severe cases, they are not the primary characteristic of stasis dermatitis.
Choice B rationale
Stasis dermatitis, also known as venous stasis dermatitis, is a skin inflammation that occurs in people with poor circulation. It most often happens in the lower legs because that’s where blood typically collects. When blood pools in the veins of the lower leg, it can cause a variety of symptoms, including a brownish skin discoloration on the lower legs. This discoloration is caused by the leakage of red blood cells into the skin due to increased pressure in the veins.
Choice C rationale
While edema in the lower legs can be a symptom of PVD and may accompany stasis dermatitis, it is not the best description of the condition. Edema is a general symptom that can occur in many conditions and is not specific to stasis dermatitis.
Choice D rationale
A purple rash on the medial surface of the lower legs is not a typical symptom of stasis dermatitis. While the skin may become discolored, it is usually a brownish color rather than purple.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A pleural friction rub is an audible raspy breathing sound, a medical sign present in some patients with pleurisy and other conditions affecting the chest cavity. It is not a typical symptom of cardiac tamponade.
Choice B rationale
Distended neck veins are a result of the collapsed blood vessels that should return blood to the heart. This is a common symptom of cardiac tamponade.
Choice C rationale
Widening pulse pressure occurs with valvular heart disease, not typically with cardiac tamponade.
Choice D rationale
Bradycardia, or a slower-than-normal heart rate, is not typically associated with cardiac tamponade.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Reducing the overall contractility of the heart muscle is not the primary reason for performing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG)4. In fact, reducing the contractility of the heart muscle could potentially decrease the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively.
Choice B rationale
Reducing plaque buildup in the carotid artery is not the primary reason for performing CABG4. While plaque buildup in the carotid artery can lead to serious conditions such as stroke, CABG is specifically performed to bypass blocked coronary arteries, not carotid arteries.
Choice C rationale
Increasing the oxygen supply to the heart muscle is the primary reason for performing CABG4. When coronary arteries become blocked or narrowed due to plaque buildup, the heart muscle may not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. CABG is performed to create a new route, or bypass, around the blocked artery, which improves blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart muscle.
Choice D rationale
Increasing the myocardial workload is not the primary reason for performing CABG4. In fact, increasing the workload of the heart could potentially exacerbate heart disease and lead to complications such as heart failure.
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