The nurse educator is discussing arterial disease with a group of clinical students. Which of the following are included in the “6 P’s”? (Select all that apply)

Choice A reason: Increasing dietary potassium intake enhances diuretic effectiveness, especially with potassium-losing diuretics, by maintaining electrolyte balance and supporting blood pressure reduction. Foods like bananas help, making this the correct recommendation to improve hypertension management in a 69-year-old patient.

Choice B reason: High-intensity exercise is not advised for a 69-year-old on diuretics, as it risks dehydration or orthostatic hypotension. Moderate exercise is safer, making this incorrect, as the nurse should recommend appropriate activity levels to support, not strain, cardiovascular health.

Choice C reason: A high-sodium diet counteracts diuretics by promoting fluid retention, raising blood pressure. A low-sodium diet enhances diuretic efficacy, making this incorrect, as the nurse should recommend sodium restriction to improve hypertension control and medication effectiveness.

Choice D reason: Limiting fluid intake to 500 mL daily risks dehydration in a patient on diuretics, worsening hypotension or renal function. Adequate hydration is needed, making this incorrect, as the nurse should encourage balanced fluid intake to support safe diuretic therapy.

Choice A reason: The Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) test compares ankle and arm blood pressure to assess arterial occlusion in peripheral artery disease. A low ABI indicates reduced blood flow, confirming diagnosis and severity, making this the correct purpose, as it directly evaluates arterial insufficiency in the lower extremities.

Choice B reason: ABI tests arterial, not venous, circulation. Deep vein thrombosis involves venous clotting, assessed by ultrasound or D-dimer, not ABI. This is incorrect, as ABI does not evaluate venous thrombosis risk, focusing instead on arterial flow and peripheral artery disease severity.

Choice C reason: Monitoring blood glucose is unrelated to the ABI test, which measures arterial blood flow. Glucose levels are checked via blood tests for diabetes management, not vascular assessment, making this incorrect, as ABI specifically targets peripheral artery disease, not metabolic conditions.

Choice D reason: Varicose veins are a venous condition, assessed visually or by ultrasound, not by ABI, which evaluates arterial flow. ABI does not measure venous insufficiency severity, making this incorrect, as the test is specific to detecting and quantifying peripheral artery disease.