Low sodium diet, physical activity, and young age

Alcohol, smoking, diabetes, stress, obesity, and family history 

Adequate hydration, low cholesterol, and healthy diet 

Vegetarian diet, normal BMI, and low stress 

Improved perfusion in the grafted area 

Breakdown or leakage at the surgical connection between graft and native aorta 

Hardening of arterial walls due to plaque 

Narrowing of the lumen by clot formation

Strict bedrest, cold environment, low fluid intake 

Compression stockings, hydration, ambulation, leg elevation, warm environment 

Avoidance of exercise, high salt intake, smoking 

Decreased nutrition, caffeine, reduced fluid intake 

Antihypertensive medication 

Anticoagulant 

Thrombolytic enzyme (clot-busting) 

Vasoconstrictor 

Both have identifiable causes 

Primary: identifiable cause; Secondary: no identifiable cause

Primary: no identifiable cause; Secondary: caused by another condition

Primary: due to renal failure; Secondary: genetic 

Pain, pallor, pulselessness, paresthesia, paralysis

Pain, pallor, pulses present, pitting edema, paralysis 

Pallor, polyuria, pulse bounding, paralysis, pruritus 

Paresthesia, pallor, polycythemia, pain, pressure 

Lower extremity edema and frequent urination 

Severe back/abdominal pain, pulsating abdominal mass, feeling of pressure 

Chest tightness, cough, wheezing 

Numbness, tingling, and intermittent claudication 

Avoid exercise, increase sodium intake, smoke in moderation 

Weight management, diet, exercise, smoking cessation, stress reduction 

Sleep less, avoid fluids, consume high cholesterol foods

Increase alcohol use, reduce mobility, avoid hydration

Productive cough with yellow sputum, fever, and chills

Sudden dyspnea, tachypnea, sharp chest pain, hemoptysis, anxiety, restlessness 

Dizziness, confusion, and bradycardia 

Numbness, tingling, intermittent claudication

Aspirin, NSAIDs, ginkgo, garlic

Acetaminophen only 

Antihypertensives

Antibiotics only 

Varicose veins 

Atherosclerosis 

Venous insufficiency 

Diabetes alone 

No stockings, no ambulation, avoid hydration 

Prolonged bed rest, avoid ambulation 

Avoid fluids, low sodium diet, bedrest only 

Elevate legs, use compression stockings, monitor for bleeding, encourage ambulation

Increased mobility, improved clot dissolution 

Increased elasticity, improved wound healing 

Arterial stiffening, decreased elasticity, reduced cardiac output, slower wound healing 

Enhanced cardiac output and improved perfusion 

BP 140/90 with mild headache 

BP 180/120, immediate intervention required to prevent organ damage 

BP 130/80, no symptoms 

BP 100/60 with dizziness

Severe, rapidly progressing hypertension with diastolic ≥120, life-threatening 

Mild elevation in BP 

Controlled hypertension with medication 

Hypertension in young athletes 

Smoking, stress, caffeine 

Low fluid intake and bedrest 

Avoidance of medications 

Smoking cessation, stress reduction, relaxation, exercise, antihypertensives/vasodilators 

Strengthens the heart and improves arteries 

Damages arterial walls, makes heart work harder, increases risk of heart attack, stroke, vision loss 

Improves circulation and perfusion 

Prevents clotting 

Avoid hydration 

Increase intake of vitamin K 

Avoid high-injury risk activities, shaving with sharp razors, brushing teeth hard

Exercise excessively

To prevent fluid overload 

To improve oxygenation

To increase arterial flow to brain 

To prevent blood clots 

No smoking, control diabetes, control high blood pressure, exercise 

High fat diet, sedentary lifestyle, smoking 

Avoid fluids, reduce mobility, increase sodium

Decrease exercise, increase stress 

Caffeine has no effect on hypertension 

Caffeine lowers blood pressure

Caffeine causes constriction of arteries 

Caffeine prevents clot formation

Sudden chest pain with exertion 

Persistent numbness of extremities

Pain in legs with activity due to poor circulation

Irregular heart rhythm with dizziness 

Intermittent claudication with walking 

Vasospasms of arteries in fingers and toes

Hypertension with severe headache 

Venous insufficiency with edema 

Become more sensitive, causing hypertension 

Cause fluid overload 

Increase heart rate significantly

Become less sensitive, leading to orthostatic hypotension and fall risk

Restrict fluids and potassium 

Stay hydrated, monitor potassium levels 

Increase sodium intake 

Avoid mobility

Aspirin 

Heparin

Warfarin 

Clopidogrel only 

Melanin buildup

Increased circulation 

Hemosiderin deposits 

Infection 

Daily 

Once a month

1-2 WEEKS

Every 8 hours

1.0–1.5

2.0–3.0

3.5–4.0

5.0–6.0

Subjective = what the nurse observes; Objective = what the patient reports 

Subjective = patient’s report; Objective = measurable/observable data 

Subjective = lab values; Objective = pain scale rating 

Subjective = imaging results; Objective = medical history 

Intermittent claudication, numbness, tingling 

Persistent cough, shortness of breath 

Chest pain, dizziness, blurred vision 

Fever, chills, muscle aches