A patient reports leg pain that awakens the patient at night.
The patient reports that the same pain develops in the legs when they are elevated and disappears when the legs are dangled.
Which condition would the nurse suspect?
Peripheral arterial disease.
Lymphatic obstruction.
Chronic venous insufficiency.
Musculoskeletal abnormalities.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
The patient's symptoms of leg pain that worsens at night and occurs when the legs are elevated but improves when they are dangled are indicative of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) PAD is a condition caused by the narrowing of arteries in the legs due to atherosclerosis. This narrowing restricts blood flow to the muscles, causing pain, especially during activities or positions that demand increased blood flow like walking or elevating the legs.
Choice B rationale:
Lymphatic obstruction typically does not cause pain in the same manner described by the patient. Lymphatic obstruction may cause swelling and discomfort, but it usually does not lead to pain that worsens with elevation and improves with dangling.
Choice C rationale:
Chronic venous insufficiency can cause leg pain and swelling, especially when standing for extended periods. However, the characteristic of pain worsening at night and with leg elevation points more towards arterial issues like PAD rather than venous insufficiency.
Choice D rationale:
Musculoskeletal abnormalities could cause localized pain, but the pattern described by the patient (worsening at night, relief with dangling) is not typical of musculoskeletal issues. PAD, on the other hand, often presents with these specific symptoms due to compromised blood flow to the muscles in the legs.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B","D"]
Explanation
Choice B rationale:
Conjunctival pallor is a common physical finding in patients with low hemoglobin levels (anemia), leading to paleness in mucous membranes such as the conjunctiva.
Choice C rationale:
Sternal tenderness is not a typical finding associated with low hemoglobin levels and is not directly related to anemia.
Choice D rationale:
A heart rate of 104 beats/min can be a compensatory response to anemia, as explained in .
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice d. pH = 7.52, PaCO2 = 24 mm Hg, PaO2 = 85 mm Hg, and HCO3 = 24 mEq/L.
Rationales:
Choice A rationale:
- pH = 7.46: This value is slightly alkalotic.
- PaCO2 = 44 mm Hg: This is within the normal range (35-45 mm Hg), indicating that the respiratory system is not contributing to alkalosis.
- PaO2 = 95 mm Hg: This is a normal oxygen level.
- HCO3 = 36 mEq/L: This is elevated, indicating metabolic alkalosis rather than respiratory alkalosis.
Choice B rationale:
- pH = 7.27: This value is acidic, indicating acidosis.
- PaCO2 = 70 mm Hg: This is elevated, indicating respiratory acidosis.
- PaO2 = 80 mm Hg: This is slightly low, indicating mild hypoxemia.
- HCO3 = 26 mEq/L: This is within the normal range, indicating no metabolic compensation.
Choice C rationale:
- pH = 7.30: This value is acidic, indicating acidosis.
- PaCO2 = 35 mm Hg: This is within the normal range, indicating that the respiratory system is not contributing to acidosis.
- PaO2 = 70 mm Hg: This is low, indicating hypoxemia.
- HCO3 = 20 mEq/L: This is low, indicating metabolic acidosis.
Choice D rationale:
- pH = 7.52: This value is alkalotic.
- PaCO2 = 24 mm Hg: This is low, indicating respiratory alkalosis.
- PaO2 = 85 mm Hg: This is a normal oxygen level.
- HCO3 = 24 mEq/L: This is within the normal range, indicating no metabolic compensation.
Choice D corresponds with respiratory alkalosis because the pH is alkalotic, and the PaCO2 is low, indicating that the respiratory system is causing the alkalosis. The HCO3 is within the normal range, showing no metabolic compensation.
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