Question 1
True or False. Peripheral Artery Disease results from increased oxygen-rich blood flow to your limbs.
Answer: False
Rationale:
PAD results from decreased blood flow to your limbs, not increased.
Question 2
You can recognize Peripheral Artery Disease based on which symptoms?
- Shortness of breath and need for oxygen supplementation
- Decreased alertness and slurred speech
- Diminished pulses and pain with walking or exercise
Answer: 1.
Rationale:
Diminished pulses and pain with walking are characteristic of PAD. Shortness of breath and need for oxygen supplementation can occur with PEs, heart attack, and a myriad of respiratory diseases, but not PAD. Decreased alertness and slurred speech are characteristic of a stroke, not PAD.
Question 3
Which of the following accurately explains the pathophysiology of Peripheral Artery Disease?
- A blood clot that has formed in the lower extremities
- A build of up plaque within the artery
- The deterioration of cartilage within the joints
- Nerve damage to the legs and feet
Answer: 2.
Rationale:
PAD occurs when a build up of plaque forms in the artery due to atherosclerosis. A blood clot that forms in the lower extremities is most likely a DVT. The deterioration of cartilage within joints is from osteoarthritis. Nerve damage to the legs and feet could happen from many different causes, however, it is not a characteristic of PAD.
Question 4
Which of the following is the most common way to diagnose Peripheral Artery Disease?
- Blood glucose check
- Serum lab values of cholesterol
- Ankle-Brachial Index or ABI
- Measuring only the blood pressure in the lower extremities
Answer: 3.
Rationale:
The Ankle-Brachial Index is the most common diagnostic tool for PAD. Checking blood glucose is not a diagnostic tool for PAD. Serum lab values of cholesterol is good information to have regarding this disease, although not used to diagnose PAD. There needs to be measurements of blood pressure in the lower extremity as well as the upper extremity, this comparison will help determine if the lower extremities have reduced blood flow.
Question 5
Intermittent claudication is the process when:
- Pain is felt in the lower extremities with ambulation.
- A sound is heard over an artery indicating decreased blood flow.
- The blood pressure in the upper extremities is compared with the blood pressure of the lower extremities.
- Extremities turn cold from decreased oxygen supply.
Answer: 1.
Rationale:
Intermittent claudication is a common symptom of PAD, which is when pain is felt in the lower extremities with ambulation. Due to the increased arterial pressure and atherosclerosis in the lower extremities, decreased blood flows to the legs. The decreased blood flow causes a decrease in oxygenation, when then causes the pain with ambulation.