The nurse is assessing the peripheral vascular system of a client.
On inspection, the client's legs are cold and the client reports she no longer has hair growing on the legs.
What does the nurse suspect the client is experiencing?

Choice A rationale

The general survey is an overall assessment of a client's physical appearance, behavior, mobility, and neurological status. It provides a comprehensive overview of the client's health and well-being, making it the focus of the nurse's observations in this scenario.

Choice B rationale

Medical history includes past and current health conditions, surgeries, medications, and family health history. While important, it is not the focus of the nurse's immediate observations in this scenario.

Choice C rationale

Biographical data involves personal information such as age, gender, occupation, and marital status. While relevant to the client's health, it is not the primary focus of the nurse's observations in this scenario.

Choice D rationale

Social history includes information about the client's lifestyle, habits, and social environment. While valuable for understanding the client's overall health context, it is not the focus of the nurse's immediate observations in this scenario. .

Choice A rationale

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) involves a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs. Symptoms include swelling, pain, and redness, but not typically cold legs or hair loss, making it unlikely in this scenario.

Choice B rationale

Venous insufficiency occurs when veins struggle to send blood back to the heart, leading to varicose veins, swelling, and skin changes. While it can cause leg discomfort, it does not typically result in cold legs or hair loss.

Choice C rationale

Varicosities are enlarged, twisted veins caused by increased pressure. They can cause pain and swelling but not cold legs or hair loss, making them an unlikely cause of the described symptoms.

Choice D rationale

Arterial insufficiency, caused by poor blood flow due to narrowed arteries, results in symptoms such as cold legs, hair loss, pain, and weakened pulses. The description of cold legs and hair loss fits arterial insufficiency, making it the most likely diagnosis.