An obese post-surgical patient reports sudden discomfort in her leg.

Upon assessment, the nurse finds the leg to be cold and pale, with no pedal or popliteal pulse. What should the nurse suspect?

Venous thrombosis.

Paresthesia.

Vascular spasm.

Arterial occlusion.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A rationale
Venous thrombosis is a condition in which a blood clot forms in a vein, typically in the leg. While this condition can cause discomfort and changes in the appearance of the leg, it would not typically cause the leg to become cold and pale or result in the loss of a pulse.
Choice B rationale
Paresthesia refers to abnormal sensations in the body, such as tingling, numbness, or burning. While this condition could potentially cause discomfort, it would not typically cause the leg to become cold and pale or result in the loss of a pulse.
Choice C rationale
Vascular spasm is a sudden, brief tightening of the muscles inside the walls of a blood vessel. While this could potentially cause discomfort and changes in the appearance of the leg, it would not typically cause the leg to become cold and pale or result in the loss of a pulse.
Choice D rationale
Arterial occlusion is the correct answer. This condition involves a blockage in an artery, which can significantly reduce blood flow to the affected area. This could cause the leg to become cold and pale and result in the loss of a pulse.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Stable angina typically occurs with exertion and goes away with rest. The symptoms described, including substernal pain, discomfort in the left shoulder and jaw, which subside with rest, are characteristic of stable angina.
Choice B rationale
Prinzmetal angina, also known as variant angina, is a type of angina (chest pain) caused by spasms in the coronary arteries. These spasms occur most often in coronary arteries that have not become hardened due to plaque buildup. However, they can also occur in hardened arteries. The symptoms can be similar to those of stable angina, but the typical triggers for the episodes are different.
Choice C rationale
A myocardial infarction (MI), or heart attack, occurs when one of the coronary arteries becomes blocked, often by a blood clot, causing part of the heart muscle to be damaged or die. The symptoms are usually more severe than what is described and do not typically subside with rest.
Choice D rationale
Unstable angina is a condition in which the angina symptoms become more severe, occur more frequently, or occur at rest. This is a medical emergency as it can often lead to a heart attack.

A. A 39-year-old patient who has right calf tenderness and swelling after a plane ride B. A 58-year-old patient taking anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation who has black stools C. A 67-year-old patient who has a gangrenous foot ulcer with a weak pedal pulse D. A 50-year-old patient who is reporting sudden sharp and severe upper back pain .

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale
While calf tenderness and swelling after a plane ride could potentially indicate a deep vein thrombosis, this condition is not immediately life-threatening in most cases. The patient would need evaluation and treatment, but other patients might have more urgent needs14.
Choice B rationale
A patient taking anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation who has black stools could potentially have gastrointestinal bleeding, which would need evaluation. However, this condition might not be immediately life-threatening, and other patients might have more urgent needs14.
Choice C rationale
A patient with a gangrenous foot ulcer and a weak pedal pulse would need evaluation and treatment. However, this condition might not be immediately life-threatening, and other patients might have more urgent needs14.
Choice D rationale
A patient reporting sudden sharp and severe upper back pain could potentially have an aortic dissection, which is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate evaluation and treatment. Therefore, this patient should be assessed first14.

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An obese post-surgical patient reports sudden discomfort in her leg. Upon assessment, the nurse finds the leg to be cold and pale, with no pedal or popliteal pulse. What should the nurse suspect?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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An obese post-surgical patient reports sudden discomfort in her leg.

Upon assessment, the nurse finds the leg to be cold and pale, with no pedal or popliteal pulse. What should the nurse suspect?