WorksheetsPeripheral Artery Disease Cause
Total questions: 24
Worksheet time: 12mins
What is the leading cause of peripheral artery disease (PAD)?
Atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries
Embolism from a cardiac thrombus
Vasculitis involving medium-sized arteries
Trauma causing arterial injury
A 62-year-old with calf claudication and diminished pedal pulses is most likely affected by which underlying process in the limb arteries?
Blunt trauma disrupting arterial flow
Autoimmune vasculitis damaging vessel walls
Progressive atherosclerosis narrowing lumen
Acute embolism lodging distally
Which PAD risk factor is most strongly associated with disease progression?
Sedentary lifestyle with minimal activity
High sodium intake in daily meals
Smoking tobacco on a regular basis
Obesity with elevated body mass index
A 58-year-old with symptomatic PAD asks which behavior change would most reduce the risk of disease progression. What is the single most impactful action to prioritize?
Reduce dietary sodium to recommended levels
Begin a moderate walking program weekly
Achieve weight loss over several months
Stop smoking with structured cessation
Which description best defines intermittent claudication in peripheral artery disease?
Pain that worsens only when lying flat
Burning neuropathic pain in the feet
Leg pain when walking that stops with rest
Leg pain present continuously at rest
A 62-year-old smoker reports calf pain after two blocks that resolves within minutes of resting. Which finding most supports this symptom pattern?
Lumbar radiculopathy from disc herniation
Neuropathic small-fiber dysfunction
Ischemia from exertional flow limitation
Venous insufficiency with edema
Which finding is most characteristic of advanced peripheral artery disease during limb inspection?
Dependent rubor without trophic changes
Bounding distal pulses bilaterally
Hair loss with thin, shiny, cool skin
Warm, well-perfused skin throughout
A patient presents with chronic calf claudication and trophic skin changes. Which combination best supports advanced PAD requiring escalation of care?
Warm skin with brisk capillary refill
Hair loss with thin, shiny, cool skin
Bounding pulses with mild pallor only
Dependent rubor resolving immediately
In diabetic patients with peripheral artery disease, which vascular territory is most commonly involved?
Arteries below the knee
Proximal aortic branch vessels
Carotid circulation in the neck
Common femoral artery segment
Which clinical sign indicates critical limb ischemia?
Pain only at night
Pain with exercise
Rest pain
Pain relieved by elevation
Which late sign among the 6 Ps of acute arterial ischemia is most indicative of advanced tissue compromise?
Pain described as severe rest pain
Poikilothermia with limb coldness
Paralysis reflecting motor loss
Pallor indicating skin blanching
Raynaud’s phenomenon is best described as:
Chronic venous congestion
Episodic vasospasm of small arteries
Acute arterial blockage
Persistent systemic hypertension
What commonly triggers Raynaud’s episodes?
Heat exposure
High-protein meals
Exercise
Cold exposure
Which patient teaching is MOST important to prevent Raynaud’s attacks?
Increase dietary salt to maintain blood pressure
Use heating pads directly on numb fingers daily
Wear tight gloves to improve digital circulation
Avoid cold exposure to prevent vasospasm episodes
Which complication represents the highest immediate mortality risk in venous thromboembolism?
Ischemic stroke due to carotid clot
Acute decompensated heart failure
Traumatic aortic wall rupture
Pulmonary embolism obstructing flow
A 62-year-old presents with sudden unilateral leg edema, redness, and warmth after a long flight. Which diagnosis best explains these findings?
Raynaud’s phenomenon with cold-induced vasospasm
Deep vein thrombosis causing venous obstruction
Aortic aneurysm presenting with back discomfort
Peripheral arterial disease causing ischemic pain
Which term correctly identifies a thrombus located within a superficial vein?
Superficial vein thrombosis in cutaneous veins
Varicose vein occlusion without thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis in a proximal vein
Transient arterial vasospasm of extremities
Which symptom is MOST associated with pulmonary embolism (PE)?
Edema
Sudden dyspnea
Constipation
Bradycardia
The most common diagnostic test for DVT is:
Venous duplex ultrasound
MRI
CT angiography
ABI
Which drug is a low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH)?
Heparin sodium
Enoxaparin
Warfarin
Apixaban
Which lab value must be monitored for patients taking warfarin?
aPTT
Anti-Xa
Platelet count
INR
What is the FIRST nursing action upon detecting signs of acute arterial ischemia?
Warm the extremity
Notify the provider immediately
Elevate the limb
Apply compression
Which patient is MOST at risk for developing a DVT?
Post-op patient on bedrest
Active young athlete
Dehydrated pre-op patient
Patient with normal mobility
Which finding is MOST indicative of a massive PE?
Mild cough
Local wheezing
Low-grade fever
Change in mental status
