Vascular System Disorders: Med-Surg Nursing Assessment &
Management Test
Questions 1–150
1. A client with peripheral arterial disease reports calf pain when
walking that resolves with rest. What is this finding called?
A. Rest pain
B. Intermittent claudication
C. Neuropathic pain
D. Referred pain
Rationale: Intermittent claudication is muscle pain from inadequate
arterial perfusion that improves with rest.
2. The nurse is assessing pulses in a patient with suspected arterial
occlusion. Which finding is most concerning?
A. Weak but palpable pulses
B. Bounding pulses
C. Pulses increased after exercise
D. Absent pulses
Rationale: Absent pulses indicate critical loss of arterial blood flow
and require immediate intervention.
3. Which intervention is appropriate for a client with venous
insufficiency?
A. Keep legs in a dependent position
B. Apply compression stockings
,C. Encourage vigorous walking
D. Limit fluid intake
Rationale: Compression improves venous return and reduces edema in
venous insufficiency.
4. The nurse cares for a patient who has cold, pale extremities after
arterial surgery. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer pain medication
B. Assess pedal pulses with Doppler
C. Increase IV fluids
D. Apply warm blankets
Rationale: Post-op vascular assessment requires immediate pulse
evaluation to detect occlusion.
5. A patient with an abdominal aortic aneurysm reports sudden,
severe abdominal pain. What is the priority?
A. Administer morphine
B. Notify the provider immediately
C. Document findings
D. Start a high-flow oxygen mask
Rationale: Sudden severe pain suggests aneurysm rupture, a surgical
emergency.
6. Which finding is expected in chronic venous insufficiency?
A. Cool extremities
B. No edema
C. Brown discoloration of legs
,D. Thin, shiny skin
Rationale: Hemosiderin deposition causes brown pigmentation in
chronic venous disease.
7. The nurse teaches a client with Raynaud’s disease. Which
instruction is appropriate?
A. Wear tight gloves
B. Avoid cold exposure
C. Use heating pads directly on skin
D. Limit fluids
Rationale: Cold triggers vasospasms; protection from cold is essential.
8. Which is a key difference between arterial and venous ulcers?
A. Arterial ulcers are painless
B. Venous ulcers occur on toes
C. Arterial ulcers have well-defined edges
D. Venous ulcers have minimal drainage
Rationale: Arterial ulcers are sharp-edged; venous ulcers are shallow
with heavy drainage.
9. A patient with deep vein thrombosis suddenly becomes short of
breath. What does the nurse suspect?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Heart failure
D. Stroke
, Rationale: Sudden dyspnea in a patient with DVT suggests
embolization to the lungs.
10. Which assessment finding is associated with acute arterial
occlusion?
A. Brown discoloration
B. Varicose veins
C. Cool, pulseless limb
D. Pitting edema
Rationale: Acute occlusion causes the “6 Ps,” including pulselessness
and coolness.
11. Which client is at highest risk for developing a venous
thromboembolism?
A. A marathon runner
B. A client with low BMI
C. A postoperative hip-replacement client
D. A client taking multivitamins
Rationale: Orthopedic surgeries have high VTE risk due to immobility
and endothelial injury.
12. The nurse evaluates teaching about varicose vein management.
Which statement shows understanding?
A. “I should avoid compression stockings.”
B. “I will elevate my legs when sitting.”
C. “I will sit for long periods.”
Management Test
Questions 1–150
1. A client with peripheral arterial disease reports calf pain when
walking that resolves with rest. What is this finding called?
A. Rest pain
B. Intermittent claudication
C. Neuropathic pain
D. Referred pain
Rationale: Intermittent claudication is muscle pain from inadequate
arterial perfusion that improves with rest.
2. The nurse is assessing pulses in a patient with suspected arterial
occlusion. Which finding is most concerning?
A. Weak but palpable pulses
B. Bounding pulses
C. Pulses increased after exercise
D. Absent pulses
Rationale: Absent pulses indicate critical loss of arterial blood flow
and require immediate intervention.
3. Which intervention is appropriate for a client with venous
insufficiency?
A. Keep legs in a dependent position
B. Apply compression stockings
,C. Encourage vigorous walking
D. Limit fluid intake
Rationale: Compression improves venous return and reduces edema in
venous insufficiency.
4. The nurse cares for a patient who has cold, pale extremities after
arterial surgery. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer pain medication
B. Assess pedal pulses with Doppler
C. Increase IV fluids
D. Apply warm blankets
Rationale: Post-op vascular assessment requires immediate pulse
evaluation to detect occlusion.
5. A patient with an abdominal aortic aneurysm reports sudden,
severe abdominal pain. What is the priority?
A. Administer morphine
B. Notify the provider immediately
C. Document findings
D. Start a high-flow oxygen mask
Rationale: Sudden severe pain suggests aneurysm rupture, a surgical
emergency.
6. Which finding is expected in chronic venous insufficiency?
A. Cool extremities
B. No edema
C. Brown discoloration of legs
,D. Thin, shiny skin
Rationale: Hemosiderin deposition causes brown pigmentation in
chronic venous disease.
7. The nurse teaches a client with Raynaud’s disease. Which
instruction is appropriate?
A. Wear tight gloves
B. Avoid cold exposure
C. Use heating pads directly on skin
D. Limit fluids
Rationale: Cold triggers vasospasms; protection from cold is essential.
8. Which is a key difference between arterial and venous ulcers?
A. Arterial ulcers are painless
B. Venous ulcers occur on toes
C. Arterial ulcers have well-defined edges
D. Venous ulcers have minimal drainage
Rationale: Arterial ulcers are sharp-edged; venous ulcers are shallow
with heavy drainage.
9. A patient with deep vein thrombosis suddenly becomes short of
breath. What does the nurse suspect?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Heart failure
D. Stroke
, Rationale: Sudden dyspnea in a patient with DVT suggests
embolization to the lungs.
10. Which assessment finding is associated with acute arterial
occlusion?
A. Brown discoloration
B. Varicose veins
C. Cool, pulseless limb
D. Pitting edema
Rationale: Acute occlusion causes the “6 Ps,” including pulselessness
and coolness.
11. Which client is at highest risk for developing a venous
thromboembolism?
A. A marathon runner
B. A client with low BMI
C. A postoperative hip-replacement client
D. A client taking multivitamins
Rationale: Orthopedic surgeries have high VTE risk due to immobility
and endothelial injury.
12. The nurse evaluates teaching about varicose vein management.
Which statement shows understanding?
A. “I should avoid compression stockings.”
B. “I will elevate my legs when sitting.”
C. “I will sit for long periods.”
