Perfusion Practice Questions

The nurse is caring for a client with hypercoagulability and venous stasis. What other condition increases the client's risk for a deep venous thromboembolism (DVT)?

• Venous ulcers

• Vascular damage

• Varicose veins

• Venous ablation

Answer explanation

Virchow's Triad, which indicates an individuals risk for DVT, includes hypercoagulability, venous stasis, and vascular damage.

Venous ulcers result from poor venous return.

Varicose veins result from damage to superficial (not deep) veins.

Venous ablation is a treatment for varicose veins.

The nurse is preparing to explain arterial injury to a client. Which statement(s) does the nurse include? Select all that apply.

• "Damage to the artery's endothelium is the first step in atherosclerosis."

• "Endothelial damage starts an inflammatory reaction."

• "Arterial damage causes the blood to flow in a laminar pattern."

• "Nicotine destroys artery walls and causes increased blood pressure and heart rate."

• "High levels of LDL cholesterol are good for the arteries and protects them from damage."

Answer explanation

A, B, and D all explain arterial injury.

Answer C is incorrect because laminar flow is what we want - that is smooth (not turbulent) blood flow. Laminar flow is not a result of arterial injury.

Answer E is incorrect because high levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) cause arterial damage. HDL (good cholesterol) is protective against arterial damage.

The client's right foot is pale, with ulcers on the tips of the toes. On assessment, the nurse notes a diminished pedal pulse and delayed capillary refill. Which treatment does the nurse expect?

• Compression stockings when out of bed

• Placement of an inferior vena cava filter

• Administration of antibiotics to prevent infection

• Elevation of the affected extremity above the level of the heart

Answer explanation

Because of poor perfusion, a client with an ARTERIAL ulcer will have difficulty healing. The nurse should prepare to administer antibiotics (most likely topical) to prevent infection of the wound.

Compression is contraindicated in arterial deficiency.

An inferior vena cava filter prevents a DVT from becoming a PE.

Elevation is for venous problems, not arterial problems.

The nurse is talking to a community group about ways to prevent atherosclerosis. Which modifiable risk factor should the nurse include?

• Male gender

• Diabetes mellitus

• Older age

• Family history

Answer explanation

All listed answers are risk factors for atherosclerosis, but only diabetes mellitus is modifiable. Gender, age, and family history cannot be changed.

A client with chronic venous insufficiency asks the nurse what caused the blood vessel damage. Which factors does the nurse identify as contributing to this condition?

• Obesity and prolonged standing

• Plaque formation and inflammation

• Reduced blood flow and vasoconstriction

• African American ethnicity and stress

Answer explanation

Obesity, prolonged standing, pregnancy, smoking, trauma - all cause valvular damage which leads to chronic venous insufficiency.

Plaque formation and inflammation causes atherosclerosis.

Reduced blood flow and vasoconstriction is peripheral arterial disease.

African American ethnicity and stress are risk factors for hypertension.