Question

A patient with diabetes mellitus has been diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease. Which dermatologic manifestations should the nurse assess?

a. Redness of exposed areas of the skin on the hand, foot, face, or neck
b. Leathery, brownish skin on lower leg, pruritus, concave lesions with edema, scar tissue with healing
c. Loss of hair in periphery, delayed capillary filling, dependent rubor, neuropathy, and delayed wound healing
d. Atrophy, epidermal thinning, increased vascular fragility, impaired wound healing, thin loose dermis, and excess fat at the back of the neck

Answer 1

Nurses should assess for loss of hair, delayed capillary filling, dependent rubor, neuropathy, and delayed wound healing when a patient with diabetes presents with peripheral vascular disease, as these symptoms suggest reduced blood flow and nerve damage.

Step-by-step explanation:

Dermatologic Manifestations in Diabetic Peripheral Vascular Disease

When assessing a patient with diabetes mellitus who has been diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease, a nurse should look for certain dermatologic manifestations. Among these are:

• Loss of hair on the extremities
• Delayed capillary filling when pressure is applied to the skin and then released
• Dependent rubor, which is reddish coloration of the skin that appears when the leg is dangled
• Neuropathy, which can present as tingling, numbness, or pain in the extremities
• Delayed wound healing, often due to poor blood circulation

These signs are indicative of the reduced blood flow and nerve damage that can occur in diabetic peripheral vascular disease. Early identification and management of these symptoms are crucial to prevent complications, such as infections and ulcers, that can result from poor circulation and nerve function.