Question

A nurse is caring for a client with peripheral vascular disease (PVD) who complains of intermittent claudication, decreased exercise tolerance, and occasional pain in the lower extremities at rest. The client's healthcare provider has prescribed cilostazol (Pletal) for the collaborative treatment of the client's condition. Which statement will the nurse include in the client teaching about this medication?

1) This medication is used to improve blood flow to your legs, decreasing the incidence of cramping pain in your legs.
2) This medication is used to decrease your risk of developing a blood clot.
3) This medication is used to increase flexibility of red blood cells, improving your condition.
4) This medication is used to increase your energy so that you can exercise more efficiently.

Answer 1

Cilostazol (Pletal) is prescribed for peripheral artery disease (PAD) to improve blood flow and decrease the pain in the legs due to intermittent claudication.

Step-by-step explanation:

The medication cilostazol (Pletal) is used for the collaborative treatment of a client with peripheral artery disease (PAD). This condition involves the narrowing of peripheral arteries, often in the legs due to atherosclerosis, which can result in symptoms such as intermittent claudication. The appropriate statement to include in client teaching about cilostazol would be: "This medication is used to improve blood flow to your legs, decreasing the incidence of cramping pain in your legs." Cilostazol works by preventing blood clots and widening the blood vessels in the legs to improve blood flow and decrease pain.