NUR-255 Test 4 Exam Review – Comprehensive
Exam Study Guide with Actual Exam Questions,
Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales-
Midlands Technical College
Question 1
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is primarily caused by ___________________
primarily.
A. Atherosclerosis
B. DVT
C. Medication
D. Trauma
Answer: A
Rationale: PAD is primarily caused by atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque
within the arterial walls, leading to narrowing and reduced blood flow.
Question 2
Atherosclerosis results from deposits of __________________ within the vessel
walls.
A. MVS
B. Lipids/plaques
C. AVS
D. Statins
Answer: B
Rationale: Atherosclerosis is caused by the accumulation of lipids and plaques within
the arterial walls, leading to narrowing and reduced blood flow.
Question 3
Atherosclerosis leads to a _____________ of the artery, which reduces blood flow &
circulation.
A. Widening
B. Narrowing
pg. 1
,C. Stiffening
D. Dissection
Answer: B
Rationale: Atherosclerosis causes narrowing of the artery due to plaque buildup,
which reduces blood flow and circulation to tissues.
Question 4
Due to the risk of plaque ruptures, patients are placed on _______________ such as
____________ and/OR _________________ to prevent complications such as
_______.
A. Anticoagulants, heparin, warfarin, thrombi
B. Antiplatelets, tylenol, ibuprofen, clots
C. Antiplatelets, aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), clots
D. Anticoagulants, aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), clots
Answer: C
Rationale: Antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and/or clopidogrel (Plavix) is used to
prevent clot formation, which can lead to complications such as myocardial infarction or
stroke.
Question 5
The nurse is just got change of shift report on a patient with peripheral arterial disease
(PAD). Which findings would the nurse expect to see during their physical assessment?
Select all that apply.
1. Pallor to feet
2. Warm extremities
3. Ulcers to toes
4. Delayed capillary refill
5. Edema
6. Thick hardened skin
7. Shiny skin with little/no hair
A. 1,3,4,7
B. 2,5,6
C. 1,2,6,7
pg. 2
, D. 3,4,5,7
E. All of them
F. None of them
Answer: A
Rationale: PAD manifestations include pallor (1), ulcers to toes (3), delayed capillary
refill (4), and shiny skin with little/no hair (7). Warmth, thick skin, and edema are
associated with venous insufficiency (2,5,6).
Question 6
Which group of drugs will the nurse plan to include when teaching a patient who has a
new diagnosis of peripheral artery disease (PAD)?
A. Statins
B. Antibiotics
C. Thrombolytics
D. Anticoagulants
Answer: A
Rationale: Statin therapy is essential for all patients with PAD for aggressive lipid
management. Antibiotics are not needed as PAD is not associated with infection.
Thrombolytics/anticoagulants are used for acute arterial occlusion, not general PAD
management.
Question 7
A patient has chronic peripheral artery disease (PAD) of the legs and an ulcer on the
right second toe. Which assessment finding would the nurse expect?
A. Dilated superficial veins
B. Swollen, dry, scaly ankles
C. Prolonged capillary refill in all the toes
D. Serosanguineous drainage from the ulcer
Answer: C
Rationale: Capillary refill is prolonged in PAD due to decreased blood flow. Dilated
veins, swollen ankles, and serosanguineous drainage are consistent with chronic venous
disease.
Question 8
The nurse is evaluating the discharge teaching outcomes for a patient with chronic
pg. 3
, peripheral artery disease (PAD). Which patient statement indicates a need for further
instruction?
A. "I will buy loose clothes that do not bind across my legs or waist."
B. "I will use a heating pad on my feet at night to increase the circulation."
C. "I will walk to the point of pain, rest, and walk again for at least 30 minutes 3 times a
week."
D. "I will change my position every hour and avoid long periods of sitting with my legs
crossed."
Answer: B
Rationale: Heating pads should be avoided because patients with PAD have impaired
sensation and circulation, increasing the risk of burns. The other statements indicate
correct understanding.
Question 9
Which patient statement supports a history of intermittent claudication?
A. "When I stand too long, my feet start to swell."
B. "My legs cramp when I walk more than a block."
C. "I get short of breath when I climb a lot of stairs."
D. "My fingers hurt when I go outside in cold weather."
Answer: B
Rationale: Intermittent claudication is cramping that occurs with exercise and resolves
with rest. Swelling with standing is venous disease, and finger pain with cold is
Raynaud's phenomenon.
Question 10
The nurse is admitting a patient newly diagnosed with peripheral artery disease who
takes clopidogrel (Plavix). Which admission order would the nurse question?
A. Cilostazol drug therapy
B. Use of treadmill for exercise
C. Exercise to the point of discomfort
D. Omeprazole drug therapy
Answer: D
Rationale: The antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel is reduced when used with
omeprazole. The other interventions are appropriate for PAD.
pg. 4
Exam Study Guide with Actual Exam Questions,
Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales-
Midlands Technical College
Question 1
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is primarily caused by ___________________
primarily.
A. Atherosclerosis
B. DVT
C. Medication
D. Trauma
Answer: A
Rationale: PAD is primarily caused by atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque
within the arterial walls, leading to narrowing and reduced blood flow.
Question 2
Atherosclerosis results from deposits of __________________ within the vessel
walls.
A. MVS
B. Lipids/plaques
C. AVS
D. Statins
Answer: B
Rationale: Atherosclerosis is caused by the accumulation of lipids and plaques within
the arterial walls, leading to narrowing and reduced blood flow.
Question 3
Atherosclerosis leads to a _____________ of the artery, which reduces blood flow &
circulation.
A. Widening
B. Narrowing
pg. 1
,C. Stiffening
D. Dissection
Answer: B
Rationale: Atherosclerosis causes narrowing of the artery due to plaque buildup,
which reduces blood flow and circulation to tissues.
Question 4
Due to the risk of plaque ruptures, patients are placed on _______________ such as
____________ and/OR _________________ to prevent complications such as
_______.
A. Anticoagulants, heparin, warfarin, thrombi
B. Antiplatelets, tylenol, ibuprofen, clots
C. Antiplatelets, aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), clots
D. Anticoagulants, aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), clots
Answer: C
Rationale: Antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and/or clopidogrel (Plavix) is used to
prevent clot formation, which can lead to complications such as myocardial infarction or
stroke.
Question 5
The nurse is just got change of shift report on a patient with peripheral arterial disease
(PAD). Which findings would the nurse expect to see during their physical assessment?
Select all that apply.
1. Pallor to feet
2. Warm extremities
3. Ulcers to toes
4. Delayed capillary refill
5. Edema
6. Thick hardened skin
7. Shiny skin with little/no hair
A. 1,3,4,7
B. 2,5,6
C. 1,2,6,7
pg. 2
, D. 3,4,5,7
E. All of them
F. None of them
Answer: A
Rationale: PAD manifestations include pallor (1), ulcers to toes (3), delayed capillary
refill (4), and shiny skin with little/no hair (7). Warmth, thick skin, and edema are
associated with venous insufficiency (2,5,6).
Question 6
Which group of drugs will the nurse plan to include when teaching a patient who has a
new diagnosis of peripheral artery disease (PAD)?
A. Statins
B. Antibiotics
C. Thrombolytics
D. Anticoagulants
Answer: A
Rationale: Statin therapy is essential for all patients with PAD for aggressive lipid
management. Antibiotics are not needed as PAD is not associated with infection.
Thrombolytics/anticoagulants are used for acute arterial occlusion, not general PAD
management.
Question 7
A patient has chronic peripheral artery disease (PAD) of the legs and an ulcer on the
right second toe. Which assessment finding would the nurse expect?
A. Dilated superficial veins
B. Swollen, dry, scaly ankles
C. Prolonged capillary refill in all the toes
D. Serosanguineous drainage from the ulcer
Answer: C
Rationale: Capillary refill is prolonged in PAD due to decreased blood flow. Dilated
veins, swollen ankles, and serosanguineous drainage are consistent with chronic venous
disease.
Question 8
The nurse is evaluating the discharge teaching outcomes for a patient with chronic
pg. 3
, peripheral artery disease (PAD). Which patient statement indicates a need for further
instruction?
A. "I will buy loose clothes that do not bind across my legs or waist."
B. "I will use a heating pad on my feet at night to increase the circulation."
C. "I will walk to the point of pain, rest, and walk again for at least 30 minutes 3 times a
week."
D. "I will change my position every hour and avoid long periods of sitting with my legs
crossed."
Answer: B
Rationale: Heating pads should be avoided because patients with PAD have impaired
sensation and circulation, increasing the risk of burns. The other statements indicate
correct understanding.
Question 9
Which patient statement supports a history of intermittent claudication?
A. "When I stand too long, my feet start to swell."
B. "My legs cramp when I walk more than a block."
C. "I get short of breath when I climb a lot of stairs."
D. "My fingers hurt when I go outside in cold weather."
Answer: B
Rationale: Intermittent claudication is cramping that occurs with exercise and resolves
with rest. Swelling with standing is venous disease, and finger pain with cold is
Raynaud's phenomenon.
Question 10
The nurse is admitting a patient newly diagnosed with peripheral artery disease who
takes clopidogrel (Plavix). Which admission order would the nurse question?
A. Cilostazol drug therapy
B. Use of treadmill for exercise
C. Exercise to the point of discomfort
D. Omeprazole drug therapy
Answer: D
Rationale: The antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel is reduced when used with
omeprazole. The other interventions are appropriate for PAD.
pg. 4
