Skin Tumours and Leg Ulcers

Question 1

Equation for ankle brachial pressure index

Answer 1

ABPI = ankle BP/arm BP

Question 2

Which people should be given an ankle brachial pressure index

Answer 2

Over the age of 60

Over the age of 50 if diabetic or smoker

Question 3

Equipment needed to measure ankle brachial pressure index

Answer 3

Handheld doppler
Ultrasound gel
Blood pressure cuff

Question 4

How to take a measurement of ankle brachial pressure index

Answer 4

Have the patient lie in a dimly lit, quiet room for about 10 mins to relax and stabilise their blood pressure
Measure BP of the arm, putting gel over brachial artery and use doppler to measure signal
Measure BP at ankle. Apply cuff over medial malleoli and put gel above medial malleolus and dorsum of foot. Measure over anterior tibial and post tibial artery
Complete in both arms and feet

Question 5

Which blood pressures should be used to measure ABPI?

Answer 5

For the right side: the highest pressure measured in arms for denominator and pressure in right foot as numerator
For the left side: the highest pressure measured in arms for denominator and pressure in left foot as numerator

Question 6

Normal value for ABPI

Answer 6

1-1.4. 0.9-1.0 is acceptable

Question 7

ABPI of 0.8-0.9

Answer 7

Suggests some arterial disease and treatment of risk factors is advisable

Question 8

ABPI of 0.5-0.8

Answer 8

Suggests moderate arterial disease and patient should be referred to vascular specialist

Question 9

ABPI <0.5

Answer 9

Suggests severe arterial disease and the patient should be referred to vascular specialist