A nursing student is reviewing medications used to treat a patient with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Which of the following medications should the nurse identify as commonly prescribed for this condition? (Select all that apply)

Choice A reason: Restricting fluids to 2 liters per day increases blood viscosity in sickle cell disease, promoting sickling and vaso-occlusion. Adequate hydration is critical to dilute hemoglobin S, so this instruction contradicts evidence-based management for crisis prevention.

Choice B reason: Iron supplements are contraindicated in sickle cell disease unless anemia is iron-deficient, which is rare. Most patients have normal or high iron from hemolysis, so a multivitamin with iron risks overload and organ damage.

Choice C reason: Avoiding caffeine lacks evidence in sickle cell crisis prevention; it’s not a trigger. Moderate intake doesn’t dehydrate significantly or affect sickling, making this instruction irrelevant to discharge teaching for this condition.

Choice D reason: Limiting crowd exposure reduces infection risk, a common sickle cell crisis trigger. Infections cause inflammation and hypoxia, promoting sickling, so this instruction aligns with preventing complications and maintaining patient stability post-discharge.

Choice A reason: Staying indoors may limit exposure but isn’t practical or evidence-based for pneumonia prevention. It’s less effective than vaccines or hygiene, as pathogens persist indoors, reducing its priority in teaching.

Choice B reason: Yearly flu vaccine prevents influenza, a pneumonia risk factor, by inducing immunity. It’s a cornerstone of prevention, reducing respiratory infections that predispose to bacterial pneumonia, per public health guidelines.

Choice C reason: Regular exercise and nutrition boost immunity, reducing pneumonia risk. Strong lungs and host defenses limit infection severity, making this a key lifestyle topic for long-term respiratory health protection.

Choice D reason: Using a fan circulates air but doesn’t prevent pneumonia pathogens effectively. It may dry mucosa, increasing susceptibility, so it’s not a standard recommendation compared to vaccines or hygiene.

Choice E reason: Staying away from crowds reduces exposure to respiratory pathogens causing pneumonia. It’s practical during outbreaks, complementing vaccines and hygiene as a behavioral strategy to lower infection risk.

Choice F reason: Handwashing removes pathogens, preventing pneumonia transmission via contact. It’s a simple, evidence-based habit, critical in breaking infection chains, making it essential in patient education for prevention.

Choice G reason: Pneumonia vaccine (e.g., PCV13, PPSV23) protects against Streptococcus pneumoniae, a top cause. It’s a primary prevention tool, reducing incidence, strongly recommended for at-risk patients in teaching plans.