Peripheral Vascular and Musculoskeletal Assessment

A collection of flashcards focusing on key vocabulary and concepts related to peripheral vascular, abdominal, musculoskeletal, and neurological assessments.

Peripheral Vascular Pitting Edema

A type of swelling due to fluid buildup characterized by a dent that remains after pressure is applied.

1+ to 4+ scale

A grading system used to assess the severity of pitting edema, with 4+ being the most severe.

Arterial Ulcers

Ulcers characterized by intermittent claudication, diminished pulses, and circular shape, often very painful.

Venous Ulcers

Ulcers that may present as aching, minimal pain, with irregular borders and granulation tissue in the base.

Manual Compression Test

A test used to assess varicose veins by compressing the vein and checking for pulsation.

Trendelenburg Test

A test that evaluates venous reflux by assessing venous pressure changes with leg elevation.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

Condition where arteries become narrowed due to plaque, leading to reduced blood flow and intermittent claudication.

ABI (Ankle-Brachial Index)

A common screening method for PAD that compares blood pressure at the ankle to that of the arm.

Murphy's Sign

Pain elicited when pressure is applied under the liver border, indicating gallbladder inflammation.

Psoas Sign

Pain in the RLQ when the leg is hyperextended, indicating inflammation of the iliopsoas muscle.

Range of Motion (ROM)

The extent of movement of a joint, including terms like abduction, adduction, extension, and flexion.

Heberden Nodes

Hard, painless nodules on the distal interphalangeal joints associated with osteoarthritis.

Romberg Test

A test for balance where the client stands with feet together, arms at their sides, and eyes closed.

Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory)

Responsible for smell; assessed by having the patient identify scents.

Cranial Nerve II (Optic)

Responsible for vision; assessed using a Snellen chart.

Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)

Controls facial expressions; assessed by asking the patient to perform various facial movements.

Cranial Nerve VIII (Acoustic)

Involved in hearing and balance; assessed by whispered voice test or tuning fork tests.

Abduction

Moving away from midline of the body

Adduction

Moving toward midline of the body

Circumduction

Circular motion

Inversion

Moving inward

Eversion

Moving outward

Extension

Straightening the extremity at the joint and increasing the angle of the

joint

Hyperextension

Joint bends greater than 180 degrees

Flexion

Bending the extremity at the joint and decreasing the angle of the joint

Chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis

A chronic autoimmune condition characterized by inflammation, pain, and swelling in the joints, leading to joint damage and functional impairment over time.

Acute Rheumatoid Arthritis

a type of inflammatory arthritis characterized by sudden onset pain, swelling, and stiffness of joints, often affecting both sides of the body.

Osteoarthrits

Usually hard and painless, they may affect middle-aged or older adults and often,although not always, are associated with arthri:c changes in other joints. Flexion and deviation deformities may develop.