Question

A nurse is performing a nursing assessment on a client with peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Which findings will the nurse anticipate during the health history portion of the nursing assessment?

1) Current diet
2) Current medications
3) Complaints of pain
4) Presence of skin discoloration
5) History of coronary artery disease (CAD)

Answer 1

In conducting a health history for a client with peripheral vascular disease, a nurse would look for information regarding current diet and medications, complaints of pain such as intermittent claudication, skin discoloration, and any history of coronary artery disease, all of which are related to the underlying atherosclerosis common in PVD.

Step-by-step explanation:

When performing a nursing assessment on a client with peripheral vascular disease (PVD), a nurse would anticipate finding several key things during the health history portion of the assessment. These may include the client's current diet and current medications, which are critical in managing PVD risk factors such as diabetes, high blood cholesterol, and high blood pressure. The nurse can also expect to document any complaints of pain, particularly leg pain when walking that resolves with rest, known as intermittent claudication, a classic symptom of PVD. Additionally, presence of skin discoloration, ulcers, or temperature change in the limbs can indicate reduced blood flow due to narrowed arteries. It is also important to note any history of coronary artery disease (CAD) since PVD and CAD are often related due to the common underlying process of atherosclerosis, which can cause plaque buildup in the arteries, leading to symptoms and complications.