Question

The nurse is teaching the client diagnosed with arterial occlusive disease. Which interventions should the nurse include in the teaching? Select all that apply.

a. Wash legs and feet daily in warm water.
b. Apply moisturizing cream to feet.
c. Buy shoes in the morning hours only.
d. Do not wear any type of knee stocking.
e. Wear clean white cotton socks.

Answer 1

The nurse should recommend washing legs and feet daily in warm water, applying moisturizing cream to feet, and wearing clean white cotton socks to a client with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Buying shoes in the morning or avoiding knee stockings is not directly relevant to PAD management without additional context.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse teaching a client with arterial occlusive disease, commonly known as peripheral artery disease (PAD), should include several important interventions to help manage the condition and prevent complications. Specifically, the teaching should involve the following:

• Wash legs and feet daily in warm water to maintain cleanliness and reduce the risk of infection.
• Apply moisturizing cream to feet to prevent dry skin and cracks where infections could develop.
• Wearing clean white cotton socks can keep the feet dry and reduce irritation while providing the feet with better breathability.

Purchasing shoes in the morning may not be particularly relevant for PAD management, as feet may swell throughout the day, and it is important to have shoes that fit well at all times. Knee stockings, if they are compression stockings prescribed by a healthcare professional, may actually be beneficial in some cases to help with blood flow. Therefore, the nurse should not teach the client to categorically avoid knee stockings without further context.