BATES: CHAPTER 17 PERIPHERAL VASCULAR SYSTEM
LATEST UPDATE 2025/ 2026
Which of the following would be seen in the early stages of atherosclerosis?
A Calcifications
B Connective tissue
C Lipid-laden macrophages
D Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) - CORRECT ANSWER >> Lipid-Laden Macrophages
What is Atherosclerosis and what are the most common causes? - CORRECT ANSWER >> A chronic
inflammatory disease initiated by injury to vascular endothelial cells, provoking atheromatous plaque
formation.
Causes: smoking, hypertension
Plaque activation and luminal stenosis are major precipitants to what in Atherosclerosis? - CORRECT
ANSWER >> Ischemia and infarction
What is it called when an artery becomes obstructed and branching networks of smaller arteries
increase in size to form collateral circulation that perfuses structures distal to the occlusion. - CORRECT
ANSWER >> Anastomoses
What happens with acute mesenteric ischemia? - CORRECT ANSWER >> Occlusion of the mesenteric
arteries, which perfuse the important organs of the abdominal cavity, a potential life threatening
condition.
Pitting edema - CORRECT ANSWER >> Edema is soft, bilateral palpable swelling from increased
interstitial fluid volume and retention of salt and water, demonstrated by pitting after 1 to 2 seconds of
thumb pressure on the anterior tibiae and feet.
, Capillary Leak Syndrome - CORRECT ANSWER >> protein leaks into the interstitial space, seen in burns,
angioedema, snake bites, and allergic reactions.
Chronic venous insufficiency - CORRECT ANSWER >> Edema is soft, with pitting on pressure and
occasionally bilateral. Brawny changes and skin thickening is sometimes apparent, especially near the
ankle. Ulceration, brownish pigmentation and edema in the feet are also common. The condition arises
from chronic obstruction and incompetent valves in the deep venous system.
What are the mechanisms for peripheral edema in the body? - CORRECT ANSWER >> Increased plasma
volume from sodium retention
Altered capillary dynamics resulting in net filtration
Inadequate removal of filtered lymph fluid
Lymphatic or venous obstruction
Increased capillary permeability
What is Lymphedema? - CORRECT ANSWER >> Edema is initially soft and pitting, then becomes
indurated, hard, and nonpitting. Skin is markedly thickened; ulcerations are rare. There is no
pigmentation. Edema often occurs bilaterally in the feet and toes. Lymphedema arises from interstitial
accumulation of protein-rich fluid when lymph channels are infiltrated or obstructed by tumor, fibrosis,
or inflammation, or disrupted by axillary node dissection and/or radiation.
How is peripheral artery disease detected? - CORRECT ANSWER >> Detected noninvasively using the
ankle-brachial index (ABI).The ABI is the ratio of blood pressure measurements in the foot and arm.
How are abdominal aortic aneurysms detected? - CORRECT ANSWER >> Abdominal ultrasound
What is Raynaud phenomenon? - CORRECT ANSWER >> Episodic reversible vasoconstriction in the
fingers and toes, usually triggered by cold temps (capillaries remain normal); no definable cause.
Location of pain: distal portions of one or more fingers.
LATEST UPDATE 2025/ 2026
Which of the following would be seen in the early stages of atherosclerosis?
A Calcifications
B Connective tissue
C Lipid-laden macrophages
D Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) - CORRECT ANSWER >> Lipid-Laden Macrophages
What is Atherosclerosis and what are the most common causes? - CORRECT ANSWER >> A chronic
inflammatory disease initiated by injury to vascular endothelial cells, provoking atheromatous plaque
formation.
Causes: smoking, hypertension
Plaque activation and luminal stenosis are major precipitants to what in Atherosclerosis? - CORRECT
ANSWER >> Ischemia and infarction
What is it called when an artery becomes obstructed and branching networks of smaller arteries
increase in size to form collateral circulation that perfuses structures distal to the occlusion. - CORRECT
ANSWER >> Anastomoses
What happens with acute mesenteric ischemia? - CORRECT ANSWER >> Occlusion of the mesenteric
arteries, which perfuse the important organs of the abdominal cavity, a potential life threatening
condition.
Pitting edema - CORRECT ANSWER >> Edema is soft, bilateral palpable swelling from increased
interstitial fluid volume and retention of salt and water, demonstrated by pitting after 1 to 2 seconds of
thumb pressure on the anterior tibiae and feet.
, Capillary Leak Syndrome - CORRECT ANSWER >> protein leaks into the interstitial space, seen in burns,
angioedema, snake bites, and allergic reactions.
Chronic venous insufficiency - CORRECT ANSWER >> Edema is soft, with pitting on pressure and
occasionally bilateral. Brawny changes and skin thickening is sometimes apparent, especially near the
ankle. Ulceration, brownish pigmentation and edema in the feet are also common. The condition arises
from chronic obstruction and incompetent valves in the deep venous system.
What are the mechanisms for peripheral edema in the body? - CORRECT ANSWER >> Increased plasma
volume from sodium retention
Altered capillary dynamics resulting in net filtration
Inadequate removal of filtered lymph fluid
Lymphatic or venous obstruction
Increased capillary permeability
What is Lymphedema? - CORRECT ANSWER >> Edema is initially soft and pitting, then becomes
indurated, hard, and nonpitting. Skin is markedly thickened; ulcerations are rare. There is no
pigmentation. Edema often occurs bilaterally in the feet and toes. Lymphedema arises from interstitial
accumulation of protein-rich fluid when lymph channels are infiltrated or obstructed by tumor, fibrosis,
or inflammation, or disrupted by axillary node dissection and/or radiation.
How is peripheral artery disease detected? - CORRECT ANSWER >> Detected noninvasively using the
ankle-brachial index (ABI).The ABI is the ratio of blood pressure measurements in the foot and arm.
How are abdominal aortic aneurysms detected? - CORRECT ANSWER >> Abdominal ultrasound
What is Raynaud phenomenon? - CORRECT ANSWER >> Episodic reversible vasoconstriction in the
fingers and toes, usually triggered by cold temps (capillaries remain normal); no definable cause.
Location of pain: distal portions of one or more fingers.
