NR304 Chapter 21 Peripherial Vascular

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry high-pressure blood away from the heart.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry low-pressure blood back to the heart.

Capacitance

The ability of veins to stretch and expand to hold blood volume.

Calf pump

Mechanism that aids venous return by contracting skeletal muscles.

Intermittent claudication

Pain in the legs due to inadequate blood flow, typically during exercise.

Dorsalis pedis artery

A pulse site located laterally to the extensor tendon of the big toe.

7 P's of Acute Arterial Occlusion

Pain, pallor, paresthesia, paralysis, pulselessness, mottling, cold.

Aneurysm

An abnormal enlargement or bulging of an artery.

Raynaud's syndrome

A condition characterized by episodic vasospasm in fingers or toes.

Ankle-brachial index (ABI)

A noninvasive test used to assess the presence of peripheral artery disease.

Lymphedema

Swelling due to an accumulation of lymph fluid, often related to lymphatic obstruction.

Venous insufficiency

Condition where veins cannot adequately return blood from the legs to the heart.

Varicose veins

Enlarged and twisted veins that often develop in the legs.

Homan’s Sign

Procedure used to assess for deep vein thrombosis by dorsiflexing the foot.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

A blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs.

Popliteal artery

A pulse site located behind the knee.

Femoral vein

A major vein in the thigh that carries blood back to the heart.

Posterior tibial artery

Pulse site located behind the medial malleolus in the ankle.

Pitting edema

Swelling that leaves an indentation when pressed.

Brawny edema

A type of chronic edema associated with venous insufficiency, characterized by skin thickening.

Claudication

Pain caused by insufficient blood flow during physical activity.

Pulselessness

Absence of pulse felt in the artery; one symptom of acute arterial occlusion.

Spleen

An organ that filters blood, produces antibodies, and stores red blood cells.

Tonsils

Lymphatic tissues that respond to local inflammation in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts.

Thymus

A gland that plays a vital role in developing the immune system, located behind the sternum.

Hydrostatic pressure

Pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium due to the force of gravity.

Colloid osmotic pressure

Pressure exerted by proteins in the blood plasma that helps draw water into the bloodstream.

Lymph nodes

Small oval structures that filter lymph fluid and contain immune cells.

Hyperplasia

Increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ, often in response to inflammation.

Collateral circulation

Alternative route of blood flow that develops when a primary pathway is obstructed.

Doppler ultrasound

A non-invasive method to assess blood flow and identify peripheral vascular disease.

Lymphatic system

A network of vessels that retrieves excess fluid and plasma proteins from tissues.

Skin turgor

The skin's elasticity, often assessed to evaluate hydration status.

Capillary refill time

The time it takes for color to return to an external capillary bed after pressure is applied.

Edema

Swelling caused by excess fluid accumulation in the body's tissues.

Thrombus

A blood clot that forms in a blood vessel.

Infant and child lymphatics

Lymph nodes are typically larger and more accessible to palpation in children.

Age-related vascular changes

In older adults, blood vessels become thicker and less elastic, increasing risks for vascular diseases.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

A common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs.

Obesity

Excess body fat that increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and complications.