Final answer:
The clinical manifestation indicating complete arterial obstruction in the lower left leg due to peripheral vascular disease would be D. Coldness of the left foot and ankle. In cases of PAD, complete blockage can lead to a drop in temperature in the affected limb, along with other possible severe symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
When assessing an individual with peripheral vascular disease, which clinical manifestation would indicate complete arterial obstruction in the lower left leg? The correct answer is D. Coldness of the left foot and ankle.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) involves the narrowing of arteries due to atherosclerosis. The loss of blood flow results in symptoms such as pain when walking, known as intermittent claudication.
However, complete arterial obstruction might lead to more severe symptoms. In the case of PAD, if an artery is completely blocked, the affected area would likely become cold due to the total absence of warm, oxygenated blood flow. This could also be accompanied by other symptoms such as pain, pallor, paralysis, paresthesia, and pulselessness, the critical '5 Ps' of arterial occlusion. Skin ulcers, bluish skin, and poor nail and hair growth can also indicate PAD, and in severe cases, numbness or tingling can occur due to nerve damage from the lack of blood flow.