Chapter 41: VASCULAR DISORDERS EXAM (13 QUESTIONS)
1. [Multiple Choice – Etiology & Pathophysiology]
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to an older adult with newly diagnosed
peripheral artery disease (PAD). The nurse reinforces the need to manage contributing
factors to reduce disease progression. Which of the following conditions should the
nurse prioritize as modifiable risk factors for PAD?
A. Male gender, age over 65
B. Positive family history and ethnicity
C. Tobacco use, diabetes mellitus, hypertension
D. Previous myocardial infarction and stroke
2. [Select All That Apply – Nursing Implementation in Chronic PAD]
A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client with PAD. Which nursing interventions
should the nurse include to promote tissue perfusion and prevent complications?
☐ Encourage walking until moderate claudication occurs, then rest
☐ Apply cold compresses to reduce inflammation
☐ Inspect feet daily for wounds or signs of infection
☐ Keep the client’s legs in a dependent position
☐ Use compression stockings for mild leg edema
3. [True or False – PAD Management]
True or False: Elevating the legs above the level of the heart is a primary nursing
intervention to promote blood flow in patients with PAD.
4. [Fill in the Blank – Diagnostics]
The nurse prepares to assess a patient with suspected PAD. The noninvasive tool that
compares systolic blood pressure in the arm and ankle is the __________.
5. [Multiple Choice – Acute Arterial Ischemia: Priority Care]
A nurse is caring for a client who reports sudden, severe leg pain. The leg is cool to the
touch, pale, and pulseless. What is the nurse’s priority action?
,A. Elevate the leg and apply warm compresses
B. Notify the healthcare provider and prepare for possible thrombolytic therapy
C. Encourage the client to walk to promote circulation
D. Apply compression stockings to reduce ischemia
6. [Case Study – Next Gen | Clinical Judgment Scenario]
Patient Info:
Mr. Darnell, a 60-year-old male with a history of diabetes and smoking, is admitted
with rest pain and non-healing ulcerations to the lower extremity. Assessment reveals
diminished pedal pulses, shiny skin, and cool temperature.
Question:
What are the three most important nursing interventions to include in Mr. Darnell’s
plan of care?
☐ Maintain a strict no-weight-bearing protocol on the affected limb
☐ Initiate IV heparin to prevent thrombus propagation
☐ Encourage ambulation despite presence of ulcers
☐ Perform daily foot assessments
☐ Keep the limb in a dependent position when seated
☐ Administer prescribed antiplatelet medication
7. [Multiple Choice – Raynaud’s Disease: Patient Teaching]
A nurse is teaching a client newly diagnosed with Raynaud’s phenomenon. Which of
the following client statements indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I will avoid drinking coffee in the mornings.”
B. “I plan to wear gloves when I take things out of the freezer.”
C. “I’ll take my vasoconstrictor medications to help with symptoms.”
D. “I’ll try to manage stress to avoid triggering episodes.”
8. [Select All That Apply – Buerger’s Disease Management]
A nurse is reinforcing education to a 42-year-old client diagnosed with thromboangiitis
obliterans (Buerger disease). Which of the following should be included in the teaching
plan?
☐ Complete tobacco cessation is necessary
☐ Avoid exposure to cold temperatures
☐ Start a walking program with frequent rest periods
☐ Use nicotine patches as a safe alternative
☐ Report any ulcers or color changes in extremities
,9. [Fill in the Blank – Clinical Manifestation]
A client with progressive PAD states, “The pain in my legs gets worse at night and feels
better when I hang them over the side of the bed.” This is most likely a sign of
__________.
10. [True or False – Pharmacological Therapy in PAD]
True or False: Cilostazol (Pletal) is an antiplatelet agent used in PAD that improves
walking distance by promoting vasoconstriction and increasing platelet aggregation.
11. [Multiple Choice – Surgical Complications & Nursing Role]
A nurse is caring for a client post peripheral artery bypass graft surgery. Which of the
following findings requires immediate notification of the healthcare provider?
A. Pain at the operative site
B. Absent pedal pulse distal to graft site
C. Redness along the incision line
D. Mild edema in the operated leg
12. [Case Study – Next Gen | Prioritization and Risk Reduction]
Scenario:
Ms. Lopez, a 55-year-old client with Raynaud’s phenomenon, reports frequent cold-
induced color changes in her fingers and mild ulceration on her right index finger. The
nurse assesses her home and self-care routine.
Question:
What nursing priorities should be included in Ms. Lopez’s care plan to reduce her risk
of complications?
☐ Educate on wearing gloves when handling cold objects
☐ Encourage frequent hand massages with warm oil
☐ Recommend cessation of caffeine and nicotine
☐ Administer IV thrombolytics as ordered
☐ Refer to a wound care specialist for ulcer monitoring
☐ Instruct to monitor for increased pain, swelling, or signs of infection
13. [Multiple Choice – Health Promotion and Maintenance]
, Which teaching by the nurse best promotes long-term prevention of complications for a
client with PAD?
A. “Soak your feet daily in warm water and trim nails closely.”
B. “Use heating pads to promote circulation to your legs.”
C. “Inspect your feet daily and wear shoes that fit properly.”
D. “Rest completely when pain begins and avoid walking.”
✅ ANSWERS & SIMPLIFIED RATIONALES
1. Modifiable Risk Factors for PAD
Correct Answer: C. Tobacco use, diabetes mellitus, hypertension
C is right: These are modifiable risk factors — you can change or control them
to slow disease progression.
A is wrong: Age and gender are non-modifiable.
B is wrong: Family history and ethnicity can’t be changed.
D is wrong: Past heart attack/stroke are history, not risk factors you can modify.
2. PAD Nursing Interventions
✅
Correct Answers: ✅ Encourage walking until moderate claudication occurs, then rest
✅ Inspect feet daily for wounds or signs of infection
Keep the client’s legs in a dependent position
Cold compresses ❌ ❌: Avoid cold — it causes vasoconstriction.
✅✅ ✅
Compression stockings : Not used in PAD — they reduce arterial flow.
Walking with rest breaks : Improves circulation over time.
Foot inspection : Prevent infection and detect early ulcers.
Dependent position : Gravity helps blood reach feet.
3. True or False – PAD Leg Elevation
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: Elevating legs decreases arterial blood flow. In PAD, you want legs
down (dependent) to improve perfusion.
1. [Multiple Choice – Etiology & Pathophysiology]
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to an older adult with newly diagnosed
peripheral artery disease (PAD). The nurse reinforces the need to manage contributing
factors to reduce disease progression. Which of the following conditions should the
nurse prioritize as modifiable risk factors for PAD?
A. Male gender, age over 65
B. Positive family history and ethnicity
C. Tobacco use, diabetes mellitus, hypertension
D. Previous myocardial infarction and stroke
2. [Select All That Apply – Nursing Implementation in Chronic PAD]
A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client with PAD. Which nursing interventions
should the nurse include to promote tissue perfusion and prevent complications?
☐ Encourage walking until moderate claudication occurs, then rest
☐ Apply cold compresses to reduce inflammation
☐ Inspect feet daily for wounds or signs of infection
☐ Keep the client’s legs in a dependent position
☐ Use compression stockings for mild leg edema
3. [True or False – PAD Management]
True or False: Elevating the legs above the level of the heart is a primary nursing
intervention to promote blood flow in patients with PAD.
4. [Fill in the Blank – Diagnostics]
The nurse prepares to assess a patient with suspected PAD. The noninvasive tool that
compares systolic blood pressure in the arm and ankle is the __________.
5. [Multiple Choice – Acute Arterial Ischemia: Priority Care]
A nurse is caring for a client who reports sudden, severe leg pain. The leg is cool to the
touch, pale, and pulseless. What is the nurse’s priority action?
,A. Elevate the leg and apply warm compresses
B. Notify the healthcare provider and prepare for possible thrombolytic therapy
C. Encourage the client to walk to promote circulation
D. Apply compression stockings to reduce ischemia
6. [Case Study – Next Gen | Clinical Judgment Scenario]
Patient Info:
Mr. Darnell, a 60-year-old male with a history of diabetes and smoking, is admitted
with rest pain and non-healing ulcerations to the lower extremity. Assessment reveals
diminished pedal pulses, shiny skin, and cool temperature.
Question:
What are the three most important nursing interventions to include in Mr. Darnell’s
plan of care?
☐ Maintain a strict no-weight-bearing protocol on the affected limb
☐ Initiate IV heparin to prevent thrombus propagation
☐ Encourage ambulation despite presence of ulcers
☐ Perform daily foot assessments
☐ Keep the limb in a dependent position when seated
☐ Administer prescribed antiplatelet medication
7. [Multiple Choice – Raynaud’s Disease: Patient Teaching]
A nurse is teaching a client newly diagnosed with Raynaud’s phenomenon. Which of
the following client statements indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I will avoid drinking coffee in the mornings.”
B. “I plan to wear gloves when I take things out of the freezer.”
C. “I’ll take my vasoconstrictor medications to help with symptoms.”
D. “I’ll try to manage stress to avoid triggering episodes.”
8. [Select All That Apply – Buerger’s Disease Management]
A nurse is reinforcing education to a 42-year-old client diagnosed with thromboangiitis
obliterans (Buerger disease). Which of the following should be included in the teaching
plan?
☐ Complete tobacco cessation is necessary
☐ Avoid exposure to cold temperatures
☐ Start a walking program with frequent rest periods
☐ Use nicotine patches as a safe alternative
☐ Report any ulcers or color changes in extremities
,9. [Fill in the Blank – Clinical Manifestation]
A client with progressive PAD states, “The pain in my legs gets worse at night and feels
better when I hang them over the side of the bed.” This is most likely a sign of
__________.
10. [True or False – Pharmacological Therapy in PAD]
True or False: Cilostazol (Pletal) is an antiplatelet agent used in PAD that improves
walking distance by promoting vasoconstriction and increasing platelet aggregation.
11. [Multiple Choice – Surgical Complications & Nursing Role]
A nurse is caring for a client post peripheral artery bypass graft surgery. Which of the
following findings requires immediate notification of the healthcare provider?
A. Pain at the operative site
B. Absent pedal pulse distal to graft site
C. Redness along the incision line
D. Mild edema in the operated leg
12. [Case Study – Next Gen | Prioritization and Risk Reduction]
Scenario:
Ms. Lopez, a 55-year-old client with Raynaud’s phenomenon, reports frequent cold-
induced color changes in her fingers and mild ulceration on her right index finger. The
nurse assesses her home and self-care routine.
Question:
What nursing priorities should be included in Ms. Lopez’s care plan to reduce her risk
of complications?
☐ Educate on wearing gloves when handling cold objects
☐ Encourage frequent hand massages with warm oil
☐ Recommend cessation of caffeine and nicotine
☐ Administer IV thrombolytics as ordered
☐ Refer to a wound care specialist for ulcer monitoring
☐ Instruct to monitor for increased pain, swelling, or signs of infection
13. [Multiple Choice – Health Promotion and Maintenance]
, Which teaching by the nurse best promotes long-term prevention of complications for a
client with PAD?
A. “Soak your feet daily in warm water and trim nails closely.”
B. “Use heating pads to promote circulation to your legs.”
C. “Inspect your feet daily and wear shoes that fit properly.”
D. “Rest completely when pain begins and avoid walking.”
✅ ANSWERS & SIMPLIFIED RATIONALES
1. Modifiable Risk Factors for PAD
Correct Answer: C. Tobacco use, diabetes mellitus, hypertension
C is right: These are modifiable risk factors — you can change or control them
to slow disease progression.
A is wrong: Age and gender are non-modifiable.
B is wrong: Family history and ethnicity can’t be changed.
D is wrong: Past heart attack/stroke are history, not risk factors you can modify.
2. PAD Nursing Interventions
✅
Correct Answers: ✅ Encourage walking until moderate claudication occurs, then rest
✅ Inspect feet daily for wounds or signs of infection
Keep the client’s legs in a dependent position
Cold compresses ❌ ❌: Avoid cold — it causes vasoconstriction.
✅✅ ✅
Compression stockings : Not used in PAD — they reduce arterial flow.
Walking with rest breaks : Improves circulation over time.
Foot inspection : Prevent infection and detect early ulcers.
Dependent position : Gravity helps blood reach feet.
3. True or False – PAD Leg Elevation
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: Elevating legs decreases arterial blood flow. In PAD, you want legs
down (dependent) to improve perfusion.
