Cardiac/Vascular Nurse Exam Secrets Study Guide by Mometrix Media Read Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Mometrix Media
prevention of complications and death. Physical examination, patient feedback, and diagnostic tools are used to diagnose an acute stroke. Screening tools used to diagnose a stroke include carotid ultrasonography, arteriography, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and echocardiography. Practicing clinicians may also perform blood work to assess other comorbid conditions that may have contributed to the stroke including lipids, glucose and homocysteine levels.
More invasive approaches such as angiography may be performed to assess the degree and extent of cardiovascular disease.
Peripheral arterial disease
Peripheral arterial disease is a condition in which blood flow is reduced to limbs and extremities. The prevalence of peripheral arterial disease increases with age, with individuals over the age of 55 having a prevalence of 10% to 25%. In the United States, approximately 10% to 20% of individuals 65 years or older are affected by peripheral arterial disease.
Most patients diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease are asymptomatic, with approximately 70% to 80% presenting with no symptoms upon diagnosis. However, the incidence of symptomatic peripheral arterial disease increases with age. Yet, the prevalence of symptomatic peripheral arterial disease varies based upon disease definition and age of patient population being evaluated.
Causes and risks
Atherosclerosis is the main cause of peripheral arterial disease. However, blood clots, injury to limbs, unusual anatomy of ligaments or muscles or infection may lead to peripheral arterial disease. Other diseases that can lead to onset of peripheral vascular disease include aortic aneurysms, Buerger’s disease, pulmonary embolism, phlebitis, varicose veins, and Raynaud’s syndrome.
Factors that increase an individual’s risk for peripheral arterial disease include smoking, 50 years of age or older, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or family history of cardiovascular diseases and/or atherosclerosis. Male individuals of African American descent as well as overweight individuals and those with a family history of cardiovascular disease are at a higher risk of peripheral vascular disease.
Other risk factors under clinical investigation include inflammatory mediators such as C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and fibrinogen.
Symptoms
More than half of individuals diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease do not present with symptoms. However, symptoms associated with peripheral arterial disease include leg numbness or weakness, cold legs and feet, sores or wounds on digits or extremities that will not heal, blue or pale hue to legs, feet, hands and/or arms, hair loss on feet and legs and changes in composition of nails.
Approximately one-third to one-half of individuals diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease present with intermittent claudication. Intermittent claudication is defined as muscle pain or cramping in appendages triggered by walking and physical activity. Individuals may also experience ischemic rest pain.
Diagnosis and screening
Early diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease is necessary for prevention of complications such as cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, and sudden death. Physical examination and diagnostic screening tools are used to determine if a patient has peripheral arterial disease.
Upon physical examination, practicing clinicians use a stethoscope to determine the presence of bruits. They also look for evidence of poor wound healing, sores, color changes, temperature changes, and decreased blood pressure in limbs. Diagnostic screening tools include the ankle-brachial index and angiography. Additional tests include angiography, electrocardiogram, magnetic resonance angiography, blood tests, and ultrasound.
Inflammation
Inflammation is defined as a complex response of vascular tissues to irritants, pathogens, and/or damaged cells. It
More invasive approaches such as angiography may be performed to assess the degree and extent of cardiovascular disease.
Peripheral arterial disease
Peripheral arterial disease is a condition in which blood flow is reduced to limbs and extremities. The prevalence of peripheral arterial disease increases with age, with individuals over the age of 55 having a prevalence of 10% to 25%. In the United States, approximately 10% to 20% of individuals 65 years or older are affected by peripheral arterial disease.
Most patients diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease are asymptomatic, with approximately 70% to 80% presenting with no symptoms upon diagnosis. However, the incidence of symptomatic peripheral arterial disease increases with age. Yet, the prevalence of symptomatic peripheral arterial disease varies based upon disease definition and age of patient population being evaluated.
Causes and risks
Atherosclerosis is the main cause of peripheral arterial disease. However, blood clots, injury to limbs, unusual anatomy of ligaments or muscles or infection may lead to peripheral arterial disease. Other diseases that can lead to onset of peripheral vascular disease include aortic aneurysms, Buerger’s disease, pulmonary embolism, phlebitis, varicose veins, and Raynaud’s syndrome.
Factors that increase an individual’s risk for peripheral arterial disease include smoking, 50 years of age or older, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or family history of cardiovascular diseases and/or atherosclerosis. Male individuals of African American descent as well as overweight individuals and those with a family history of cardiovascular disease are at a higher risk of peripheral vascular disease.
Other risk factors under clinical investigation include inflammatory mediators such as C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and fibrinogen.
Symptoms
More than half of individuals diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease do not present with symptoms. However, symptoms associated with peripheral arterial disease include leg numbness or weakness, cold legs and feet, sores or wounds on digits or extremities that will not heal, blue or pale hue to legs, feet, hands and/or arms, hair loss on feet and legs and changes in composition of nails.
Approximately one-third to one-half of individuals diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease present with intermittent claudication. Intermittent claudication is defined as muscle pain or cramping in appendages triggered by walking and physical activity. Individuals may also experience ischemic rest pain.
Diagnosis and screening
Early diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease is necessary for prevention of complications such as cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, and sudden death. Physical examination and diagnostic screening tools are used to determine if a patient has peripheral arterial disease.
Upon physical examination, practicing clinicians use a stethoscope to determine the presence of bruits. They also look for evidence of poor wound healing, sores, color changes, temperature changes, and decreased blood pressure in limbs. Diagnostic screening tools include the ankle-brachial index and angiography. Additional tests include angiography, electrocardiogram, magnetic resonance angiography, blood tests, and ultrasound.
Inflammation
Inflammation is defined as a complex response of vascular tissues to irritants, pathogens, and/or damaged cells. It
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