Final answer:
Selma's acute peripheral arterial occlusion may present with complaints of coldness or paresthesia. Peripheral arterial disease primarily affects the legs and can lead to various symptoms without always causing noticeable changes in skin color. Accurate diagnosis is crucial as it is associated with atherosclerosis, which may have more severe consequences if left untreated.
Step-by-step explanation:
Selma has acute peripheral arterial occlusion of a lower extremity. Before beginning your examination, you should be aware that it may present with only complaints of coldness or paresthesia of the extremity. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is characterized by the narrowing of peripheral arteries, usually in the legs, due to atherosclerosis, and it can lead to various symptoms.
While PAD commonly affects the legs and often causes pain when walking, not all cases present with noticeable symptoms. Some individuals may experience symptoms such as skin ulcers, bluish skin, cold skin, or poor nail and hair growth in the affected leg(s). It is also important to note that while PAD most commonly affects the legs, it is not exclusive to them and does not always result in an extremity appearing 'blue.' Additionally, the diagnosis of PAD is significant as it helps prevent more severe consequences of atherosclerosis, such as heart attack or stroke. When diagnosing PAD, it is a key finding that blood pressure readings at the ankle are typically lower than those at the upper arm.