Asked by Bethany Ramos on Apr 29, 2024
Verified
The nurse is preparing to assess the ankle-brachial index (ABI) of a patient. Which statement about the ABI is true?
A) Normal ABI indices are from 0.5 to 1.0.
B) Normal ankle pressure is slightly lower than the brachial pressure.
C) The ABI is a reliable measurement of peripheral vascular disease in individuals with diabetes.
D) An ABI of 0.9 to 0.7 indicates the presence of peripheral vascular disease and mild claudication.
Ankle-Brachial Index
A non-invasive test used to check for peripheral artery disease, comparing the blood pressure in the ankle with the blood pressure in the arm.
Peripheral Vascular Disease
A condition characterized by the narrowing of blood vessels outside of the heart and brain, which can reduce blood flow to limbs, organs, and other areas of the body.
Claudication
Pain and cramping in the legs due to inadequate blood supply during exercise, often a symptom of peripheral artery disease.
- Recognize the structure and evaluation methods for primary arteries and veins within the body.
- Discern between the clinical characteristics and symptoms of arterial and venous insufficiencies.
Verified Answer
JS
Jennifer SkeltonMay 02, 2024
Final Answer :
D
Explanation :
Use of the Doppler stethoscope is a noninvasive way to determine the extent of peripheral vascular disease. The normal ankle pressure is slightly greater than or equal to the brachial pressure. An ABI of 0.9 to 0.7 indicates the presence of peripheral vascular disease and mild claudication. The ABI is less reliable in patients with diabetes mellitus because of claudication, which makes the arteries noncompressible and may give a false high-ankle pressure.
Learning Objectives
- Recognize the structure and evaluation methods for primary arteries and veins within the body.
- Discern between the clinical characteristics and symptoms of arterial and venous insufficiencies.