WorksheetsPeripheral Artery Disease: Definition and Pathophysiology
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 8mins
Which statement best defines Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)?
Venous valve failure causing leg varicosities and edema
Atherosclerotic narrowing of arteries supplying the limbs
Neuropathic damage to peripheral sensory nerve fibers
Inflammatory dilation of coronary arteries in the heart
In PAD, why does intermittent claudication occur during walking and improve with rest?
Exercise increases muscle oxygen demand beyond limited blood supply
Exercise redirects blood flow away from the myocardium
Rest causes vasoconstriction that increases perfusion pressure
Walking reduces atherosclerotic plaque burden immediately
Which pathophysiologic sequence most accurately describes atherosclerotic PAD?
Endothelial injury, LDL oxidation, macrophage uptake, plaque growth
Smooth muscle spasm, arterial rupture, clot lysis, lumen widening
Valve incompetence, venous pooling, edema, tissue hypoxia
Autoimmune attack, myelin loss, nerve ischemia, pain signals
Which Fontaine stage corresponds to intermittent claudication with walking distance to pain onset greater than 200 meters?
Stage 2a in Fontaine classification
Stage 2b in Fontaine classification
Stage 4 in Fontaine classification
Stage 3 in Fontaine classification
A patient’s supine, resting ABI is 0.85. What is the most appropriate interpretation?
Threshold for PAD confirmation
Normal ABI value at rest
Postexercise ABI remains unchanged
Significant PAD progression over time
During treadmill testing, a patient’s ABI decreases by 25% from resting. What conclusion is best supported?
Normal postexercise ABI response
Reasonable threshold for PAD confirmation
Finding specific to gangrene and tissue loss
Insufficient evidence of disease progression
Which is a primary reason to perform exercise testing in a patient with Peripheral Artery Disease?
Determine functional capacity for daily activities
Estimate lung volumes during quiet breathing
Screen for peripheral neuropathy with vibration
Evaluate kidney function using serum creatinine
A clinician wants to evaluate therapy effectiveness in PAD by measuring time to claudication and total walking time pre- and post-intervention. Which testing focus best matches this plan?
Assess change in claudication onset and walking duration
Identify cardiac murmurs during resting auscultation
Quantify balance sway using force platforms
Measure shoulder endurance with isokinetic dynamometry
During standardized PAD assessment, when should bilateral ankle and brachial systolic blood pressures be measured?
Before any rest in a standing position
Immediately after treadmill walking ends
After 5–10 minutes of supine rest
Following 20 minutes seated recovery
Which protocol characteristic best ensures reproducibility of pain‑free maximal walking time in PAD exercise testing?
Standardized motorized treadmill
Variable-speed self‑paced walking
Intermittent shuttle run pacing
Outdoor track free walking
A patient with PAD cannot tolerate treadmill testing. Which option most appropriately assesses ambulatory functional limitation?
Timed Up and Go test
Stair climb power test
Six‑Minute Walk Test (6MWT)
Incremental cycle ergometer
You observe a patient reporting moderate discomfort that can be diverted by conversation during walking. What claudication grade does this correspond to on a 0–4 scale?
Grade 3: intense pain not diverted
Grade 1: minimal initial discomfort
Grade 0: no pain
Grade 2: moderate discomfort divertible
Which aerobic frequency aligns with FITT guidance for symptomatic PAD during walking programs?
Once weekly short sessions
Minimally 3 days per week
Daily multiple brief bouts
Twice daily every other day
During treadmill training for PAD, what intensity target best matches the claudication pain scale recommendation?
Stop at mild discomfort level 1
Aim for moderate to severe level 3–4
Push to intolerable level 5
Keep pain-free at level 0
A client with PAD reports worse calf pain when walking outdoors in winter. Which adjustment is most appropriate to manage symptoms and maintain training?
Continue same route regardless
Switch to indoor climate-controlled walking
Add only flexibility before walking
Replace walking with heavy resistance sets
