Author Question: A patient has been diagnosed with venous stasis. Which of these findings would the nurse most likely ... (Read 56 times)

jlmhmf · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A patient has been diagnosed with venous stasis. Which of these findings would the nurse most likely observe?

a. Unilateral cool foot
b. Thin, shiny, atrophic skin
c. Pallor of the toes and cyanosis of the nail beds
d. Brownish discoloration to the skin of the lower leg

Question 2

The nurse is preparing to perform a modified Allen test. Which is an appropriate reason for this test?

a. To measure the rate of lymphatic drainage
b. To evaluate the adequacy of capillary patency before venous blood draws
c. To evaluate the adequacy of collateral circulation before cannulating the radial artery
d. To evaluate the venous refill rate that occurs after the ulnar and radial arteries are temporarily occluded

Moriaki · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
A brown discoloration occurs with chronic venous stasis as a result of hemosiderin deposits (a by-product of red blood cell degradation). Pallor, cyanosis, atrophic skin, and unilateral coolness are all signs associated with arterial problems.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
A modified Allen test is used to evaluate the adequacy of collateral circulation before the radial artery is cannulated. The other responses are not reasons for a modified Allen test.