Final answer:
To reduce leg pain for a client with peripheral arterial insufficiency, the best intervention is to support smoking cessation efforts, as smoking is a significant risk factor for peripheral artery disease (PAD), which causes leg pain due to reduced blood flow.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best intervention to include in the plan of care for a 75-year-old client with peripheral arterial insufficiency to reduce leg pain is supporting smoking cessation efforts. Smoking is a significant risk factor for the development of peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is a common cause of leg pain in individuals with arterial insufficiency. In PAD, plaque accumulates within the arteries, leading to narrowed blood vessels and reduced blood flow to the legs, causing symptoms such as pain when walking.
Elevating legs above the heart can also help reduce edema and pain by improving venous return, but it may not be sufficient as a single approach for managing symptoms related to PAD. Conversely, lowering the legs to a dependent position and applying cold compresses are not suitable interventions for peripheral arterial insufficiency as these actions can exacerbate symptoms by further limiting blood flow.