What does the nurse explain that a ventricular septal defect will allow?

Choice A reason: Avoiding cold temperatures prevents vasospasm in Buerger’s disease but is secondary to tobacco cessation, the primary driver of disease progression. Cold exacerbates symptoms, but smoking causes the underlying inflammation and thrombosis, making this a less critical initial focus for teaching.

Choice B reason: Meticulous hygiene prevents infection in ischemic tissues but does not address the primary cause of Buerger’s disease progression, which is tobacco use. Hygiene is supportive but secondary, making this an incorrect initial focus compared to eliminating the disease’s main trigger.

Choice C reason: A low-saturated fat diet reduces atherosclerosis risk but is not the primary intervention for Buerger’s disease, which is driven by tobacco-induced inflammation and thrombosis. While beneficial for cardiovascular health, it is secondary to smoking cessation, making this an incorrect initial teaching focus.

Choice D reason: Abstaining from tobacco is the primary intervention for Buerger’s disease, as smoking causes inflammatory thrombosis, leading to vessel occlusion and ischemia. Cessation halts disease progression, reducing pain and tissue damage, making this the nurse’s initial focus to effectively manage and prevent worsening of the condition.

Choice A reason: Applying a heating pad is risky in peripheral artery disease due to reduced sensation, increasing burn risk. Warm environments are safer to promote vasodilation, making this an incorrect instruction, as it could lead to tissue injury rather than safely improving circulation.

Choice B reason: Adjusting the thermostat to maintain a warm environment promotes vasodilation in peripheral artery disease, improving blood flow and reducing ischemic pain. This is a safe, effective instruction to include in teaching, as it supports circulation without risking tissue damage in clients with arterial insufficiency.

Choice C reason: Antiembolic stockings are used for venous disease to reduce edema, not arterial disease, where they may restrict blood flow, worsening ischemia. This instruction is incorrect, as it could exacerbate peripheral artery disease symptoms, requiring teaching on avoiding compression in arterial insufficiency.

Choice D reason: Resting with legs above heart level reduces arterial blood flow to extremities in peripheral artery disease, worsening ischemia. Keeping legs dependent or level promotes perfusion, making this an incorrect instruction, as it contradicts the goal of improving arterial circulation in affected limbs.