Question

The client comes to the clinic complaining of muscle cramping and pain in both legs when walking for short periods of time. Which medical term would the nurse document in the client's record?

a. Peripheral vascular disease.
b. Intermittent claudication.
c. Deep vein thrombosis.
d. Dependent rubor.

Answer 1

The medical term for muscle cramping and pain in the legs when walking, which resolves with rest, is intermittent claudication, associated with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD).

Step-by-step explanation:

When a client presents with muscle cramping and pain in both legs during short periods of walking, which resolves with rest, the medical term that the nurse would document in the client's record is intermittent claudication. This term is associated with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), a condition where narrowing of peripheral arteries, mostly in the legs due to atherosclerosis, causes pain and discomfort during exertion. The pain is due to inadequate blood flow to meet the muscle's demands during activity, and relief upon resting occurs when the demand for blood flow is reduced.