Hypertension
What base blood pressure is considered hypertensive?
130/80
This general condition is broken down into two types. What are those two types?
1. Peripheral Arterial Disease
2. Peripheral Venous Disease
Medications can be described to help treat vascular disease. What classifications would these medications come from and how do they work?
1. Antiplatelet (reduce blood viscosity by decreasing blood fibrinogen levels = increase blood flow in the extremities)
2. Antilipemics (decrease lipid levels and can assist in relieving manifestations of intermittent claudication)
This condition is characterized by an outpunching of the artery wall.
Aneurysm
This condition occurs when my arteries spasm and constrict in my fingers and/or toes due to an exaggerated response to cold or if I get really stressed. I experience pain that feels like my hands are on fire and throbs once the spasm has stopped.
Raynaud's Disease
This type of hypertension develops because of their family history.
Primary Hypertension
Inadequate blood flow is the definition of what?
Arterial insufficiency
A common medication that will be prescribed is clopidegrel (plavix). What should the nurse monitor for with this client?
Black, tarry stools because this medication has the potential to increase bleeding tendencies.
What are some causes for an arterial wall to weaken?
Plaque formation, HTN, smoking, trauma, surgery
This condition interferes with adequate blood return to the heart.
Peripheral Venous Disease
These risk factors of alcohol consumption, smoking, diabetes, obesity, stress, elevated serum lipids, excessive dietary sodium are referred to as what?
Modifiable risk factors
What are the risk factors for the development of PAD?
HTN, Hyperlipidemia, DM, smoking, obesity, older adult, sitting on your booty
How can angioplasty be a helpful treatment measure for those with PAD?
Opens occluded arteries with or without a stent placement.
What is the main concern when it comes to an aneurysm?
Rupture and death - sudden onset of pain that is excruciating with light-headedness - if noted notify physician ASAP
When hemosiderin leaks out of the trapped RBCs and stains the skin, it makes my skin look like:
Brownish in color
BP readings on two different occasions, 2-weeks apart of 130/80 or greater.
This symptom of PAD is characterized by pain when up walking around, but will soon go away once they sit down and rest.
Intermittent claudication
This procedure diverts blood flow around the occluded area or the occluded area is removed and replaced with a graft using the client's saphenous or other vein.
Aortoiliac or femoropopliteal bypass
Don't forget to assess those pulses distal to the extraction site!
This condition is treated by a surgical procedure in which an incision is made to the neck and the carotid artery is cleaned out (Endarterectomy).
Carotid Artery Disease
There are various types of PVDs. Name those types.
1. Thombophlebitis
2. DVT
3. Varicose veins
4. Venous insufficiency
5. Venous Stasis Ulcers
These medications can help treat hypertension.
Atenolol, propranolol, metoprolol, verapamil, furosemide, spironolactone.
How does the individual's extremity look if they have PAD?
For those with PAD they can experience an arterial thrombosis. If it breaks loose, it becomes an embolus. An artery can become occluded and the client can experience these 6 P's:
Pain
Pulselessness
Poikilothermia (coldness)
Pallor
Paresthesias
Paralysis
The main treatment measure for Buerger's Disease.
STOP SMOKING
A client presents to you with dyspnea, hemoptysis, tachycardia, altered mental status, tachypnea and cyanosis. The individual is anxious and states to you, "Please don't let me die." What condition might you suspect that the client is experiencing and what immediate interventions do you perform?
1. Pulmonary Embolus
2. Stay with the client, call for help, high fowler's position, provide oxygen and reassurance.