Peripheral vascular assessment of the lower limb

Question 1

How should the patient be positioned in a LL assessment?

Answer 1

Lying down, with both feet exposed from thighs to feet, shoes and socks removed

Question 2

What criteria should you assess when doing a bilateral inspection of the LL?

Answer 2

• Symmetry
• size
• colour of skin
• hair distribution
• visible blood vessels
• overall general health of the skin
• general health of the nails

Question 3

What outcomes of palpation of the LL should be described?

Answer 3

• pain
• tenderness
• temperature
• texture
• moisture
• lumps
• bumps
• muscle atrophy

Question 4

What are the LL peripheral pulses and where are they located?

Answer 4

• Posterior tibial: posterior to medial pulse, interior to achilles tendon
• Dorsalis pedis: on the dorsum of the foot, lateral to the extensor hallucis longus tendon at the high point of the foot

Question 5

Where should an assessment for oedema be performed?

Answer 5

from ankles, progressing up to the pre-tibial region

Question 6

What are the categorisations for oedema?

Answer 6

0 - not present
1 - mild pitting, barely noticeable when pressure is applied and disappears quickly
2 - moderate pitting, area returns to normal 15-30 seconds after pressure is applied
3 - severe pitting, deep, remains for 1min >
4 - very severe pitting, very deep, remains for 2-5 min after pressure