A 65-year-old patient with a history of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) presents to the clinic with complaints of intermittent claudication in the right leg. Which of the following management strategies should the nurse prioritize to improve the patient’s condition?
Encourage the patient to engage in regular low-impact exercise.
Advise the patient to limit fluid intake to prevent edema.
Instruct the patient to wear tight-fitting shoes to improve circulation.
Recommend strict bed rest to minimize pain.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Low-impact exercise, like walking, enhances collateral circulation in PAD, increasing blood flow to ischemic muscles. It reduces claudication by stimulating angiogenesis and improving endothelial function, a cornerstone of evidence-based management to alleviate symptoms effectively.
Choice B reason: Limiting fluid intake addresses edema, not a primary PAD issue, which involves arterial insufficiency, not venous stasis. This strategy lacks scientific support for claudication relief, as hydration status doesn’t directly influence arterial perfusion.
Choice C reason: Tight shoes restrict circulation, worsening PAD by compressing arteries and exacerbating ischemia. Proper footwear is essential, but constriction contradicts vascular physiology, potentially increasing pain and tissue damage rather than improving blood flow.
Choice D reason: Bed rest reduces activity, promoting stasis and deconditioning in PAD, worsening claudication. Immobility decreases muscle pump action and collateral flow, conflicting with evidence that exercise improves symptoms, making this detrimental to recovery.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: Encouraging fluid intake worsens heart failure by increasing preload and congestion. Restriction (e.g., 2L/day) is standard to prevent overload, as excess volume exacerbates dyspnea and edema in compromised hearts.
Choice B reason: Administering diuretics like furosemide reduces fluid overload, easing heart failure symptoms. It lowers pulmonary pressure and edema by enhancing excretion, a critical action to stabilize patients and improve breathing.
Choice C reason: Monitoring weight and fluid balance tracks retention in heart failure; a 2-3 lb gain signals worsening. It guides therapy adjustments, ensuring effective management of volume status and preventing decompensation.
Choice D reason: Educating on low-sodium diets (<2g/day) prevents fluid retention in heart failure. Sodium draws water into vessels, worsening congestion; this empowers patients to control symptoms and supports long-term stability.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Glucose of 122 mg/dL is mildly elevated, suggesting prediabetes, but not urgent in hypertension. It’s a chronic risk factor, less critical than renal function for immediate provider attention.
Choice B reason: Hemoglobin of 14.7 g/dL is normal (12-18 g/dL), requiring no action in hypertension. It reflects oxygen capacity, not directly tied to blood pressure or acute complications needing reporting.
Choice C reason: Potassium of 4.5 mEq/L is normal (3.5-5.0 mEq/L), not concerning in hypertension. It’s relevant with medications, but this value alone doesn’t warrant immediate communication to the provider.
Choice D reason: Creatinine of 2.8 mg/dL (normal 0.5-1.2 mg/dL) indicates renal impairment, critical in hypertension. It suggests kidney damage from pressure, needing urgent reporting to adjust treatment and prevent progression.
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