1. A 65-year-old smoker complains of cramping calf
pain when walking that resolves with rest. Which
finding is most consistent with peripheral arterial
disease?
A. Warm, edematous feet
B. ABI of 0.65
C. Reactive hyperemia on elevation
D. Positive Homan’s sign
o Answer: B
o Rationale: An ABI < 0.90 indicates PAD; 0.65 is
moderate disease. Warmth and edema suggest
venous issues, and Homan’s sign is unreliable for
DVT.
2. Which pulse site is used to calculate the ankle-
brachial index?
A. Dorsalis pedis
B. Popliteal
C. Radial
D. Femoral
o Answer: A
o Rationale: ABI compares the highest ankle
pressure (dorsalis pedis or posterior tibial) to
brachial pressure.
3. Intermittent claudication pain is best described
as:
A. Sharp, stabbing pain at rest
, B. Dull ache in legs after exercise
C. Cramping in calves with exertion
D. Burning in feet that worsens at night
o Answer: C
o Rationale: Claudication is exertional cramping
from ischemia, relieved by rest.
4. A patient with chronic venous insufficiency most
likely exhibits:
A. Shiny, hair-less lower legs
B. Dependent rubor
C. Hemosiderin-laden brownish discoloration
D. Cool, pale toes
o Answer: C
o Rationale: Venous pooling → hemosiderin
deposits; arterial disease shows pallor and
coolness.
5. The most sensitive sign of deep vein thrombosis
is:
A. Calf pain on dorsiflexion (Homan’s)
B. Unilateral calf swelling
C. Positive Trendelenburg test
D. Bruit over femoral artery
o Answer: B
o Rationale: Unilateral swelling and calf
circumference difference are more reliable than
Homan’s sign.
pain when walking that resolves with rest. Which
finding is most consistent with peripheral arterial
disease?
A. Warm, edematous feet
B. ABI of 0.65
C. Reactive hyperemia on elevation
D. Positive Homan’s sign
o Answer: B
o Rationale: An ABI < 0.90 indicates PAD; 0.65 is
moderate disease. Warmth and edema suggest
venous issues, and Homan’s sign is unreliable for
DVT.
2. Which pulse site is used to calculate the ankle-
brachial index?
A. Dorsalis pedis
B. Popliteal
C. Radial
D. Femoral
o Answer: A
o Rationale: ABI compares the highest ankle
pressure (dorsalis pedis or posterior tibial) to
brachial pressure.
3. Intermittent claudication pain is best described
as:
A. Sharp, stabbing pain at rest
, B. Dull ache in legs after exercise
C. Cramping in calves with exertion
D. Burning in feet that worsens at night
o Answer: C
o Rationale: Claudication is exertional cramping
from ischemia, relieved by rest.
4. A patient with chronic venous insufficiency most
likely exhibits:
A. Shiny, hair-less lower legs
B. Dependent rubor
C. Hemosiderin-laden brownish discoloration
D. Cool, pale toes
o Answer: C
o Rationale: Venous pooling → hemosiderin
deposits; arterial disease shows pallor and
coolness.
5. The most sensitive sign of deep vein thrombosis
is:
A. Calf pain on dorsiflexion (Homan’s)
B. Unilateral calf swelling
C. Positive Trendelenburg test
D. Bruit over femoral artery
o Answer: B
o Rationale: Unilateral swelling and calf
circumference difference are more reliable than
Homan’s sign.
