Chapter 22: Assessing Peripheral Vascular System

Question 1

The major artery that supplies blood to the arm is the

a. radial artery
b. ulcer artery
c. posterior artery
d. brachial artery

Answer 1

d. brachial artery

Question 2

The popliteal artery can be palpated at the

a. knee
b. great toe
c. ankle
d. inguinal ligament

Answer 2

a. knee

Question 3

The posterior tibial pulse can be palpated at the

a. great toe
b. knee
c. top of the foot
d. ankle

Answer 3

d. ankle

Question 4

Blood from the lower trunk and legs drains upward into the inferior vena cava. The percentage of the body’s blood volume that is contained in the veins is nearly

a. 50%
b. 60%
c. 70%
d. 80%

Answer 4

c. 70%

Question 5

The nurse is planning to perform the Trendelenburg test on an adult client. The nurse should explain to the client that this test is used to determine the

a. degree of arterial occlusion that exists
b. pulse of a client with poor elasticity
c. competence of the saphenous vein valves
d. severity of thrombophlebitis

Answer 5

c. competence of the saphenous vein valves

Question 6

Used to detect a weak peripheral pulse to monitor blood pressure in infants or children and to measure blood pressure in a lower extremity; it magnifies pulse sounds from the heart and blood vessels

Answer 6

Doppler ultrasound probe

Question 7

Swelling caused by excessive fluid

Answer 7

Edema

Question 8

Diffuse enlargement of terminal phalanges

Answer 8

Clubbing

Question 9

A vasospastic disorder, primarily affects the hands, characterized by color change from pallor, to cyanosis to rubor; attacks precipitated by cold or emotional upset and relieved by warmth

Answer 9

Raynaud disease

Question 10

The time it takes for color to return to the nail beds after they have been blanched by pressure; a good measure of peripheral perfusion and cardiac output

Answer 10

Capillary refill time

Question 11

Determines the patency of the radial and ulnar arteries

Answer 11

Allen test

Question 12

Swollen, distended, and knotted veins; occur most commonly in the legs

Answer 12

Varicose veins

Question 13

Inflammation of a vein associated with thrombus formation

Answer 13

Thrombophlebitis

Question 14

Usually occurs on tips of toes, metatarsal heads, and lateral malleoli; ulcers have pale ischemic base, well defined edges and no bleeding

Answer 14

Arterial ulcer

Question 15

Usually occur on medial malleoli; ulcers have bleeding uneven edges

Answer 15

Venous ulcer

Question 16

Rigid peripheral blood vessels; occurs more commonly in older adults

Answer 16

Arteriosclerosis

Question 17

Deficient supply of oxygenated arterial blood to a tissue, caused by obstruction of a blood vessel

Answer 17

Ischemia

Question 18

While assessing the peripheral vascular system of an adult client, the nurse detects cold clammy skin and loss of hair on the client’s legs. The nurse suspects that the client may be experiencing

a. venous stasis
b. varicose veins
c. thrombophlebitis
d. arterial insufficiency

Answer 18

d. arterial insufficiency

Question 19

During a physical examination, the nurse detects warm skin and brown pigmentation around an adult client’s ankles. The nurse suspects that the client may be experiencing

a. venous insufficiency
b. arterial occlusive disease
c. venous ulcers
d. ankle edema

Answer 19

a. venous insufficiency

Question 20

The nurse is assessing the peripheral vascular system of an older adult client. The client tells the nurse that her legs “seem cold all the time and sometimes feel tingly” The nurse suspects that the client may be experiencing

a. varicose veins
b. intermittent claudication
c. edema
d. thrombophlebitis

Answer 20

b. intermittent claudication

Question 21

The nurse is caring for a client who is employed as a typist and has a family history of peripheral vascular disease. The nurse should instruct the client to reduce her risk factors by

a. eating a high-protein diet
b. resting frequently
c. drinking large quantities of milk
d. getting regular exercise

Answer 21

d. getting regular exercise

Question 22

The nurse is preparing to use a Doppler ultrasound probe to detect blood flow in the femoral artery of an adult client. The nurse should

a. apply K-Y jelly to the client’s skin
b. place the client in a supine position with the head flat
c. place the tip of the probe in a 30-degree angle to the artery
d. apply gel used for ECG to the client’s skin

Answer 22

a. apply K-Y jelly to the client’s skin

Question 23

A client visits the clinic and tells the nurse that she had a mastectomy 2 years ago. The nurse
should assess the client for

a. lymphedema
b. Raynaud’s disease
c. poor peripheral pulses
d. bruits over the radial artery

Answer 23

a. lymphedema

Question 24

After palpating the radial pulse of an adult client, the nurse suspects arterial insufficiency. The nurse should next assess the client’s

a. femoral pulse
b. popliteal pulse
c. brachial pulse
d. tibial pulse

Answer 24

c. brachial pulse

Question 25

The nurse is preparing to palpate the epitrochlear lymph nodes of an adult male client. The nurse should instruct the client to

a. assume a supine position
b. rest his arm on the examination table
c. flex his elbow about 90 degrees
d. make a fist with his left hand

Answer 25

c. flex his elbow about 90 degrees

Question 26

While inspecting the skin color of a male client’s legs, the nurse observes that the client’s legs are slightly cyanotic while he is sitting on the edge of the examination table. The nurse should refer the client to a physician for possible

a. arterial insufficiency
b. congestive heart failure
c. Raynaud’s disease
d. venous insufficiency

Answer 26

d. venous insufficiency

Question 27

While assessing the inguinal lymph nodes in an older adult client, the nurse detects that the lymph nodes are approximately 3 cm in diameter, nontender, and fixed. The nurse should refer the client to a physician because these findings are generally associated with

a. localized infection
b. systemic infection
c. arterial insufficiency
d. malignancy

Answer 27

d. malignancy