Progressive Care Nursing Certification (PCCN) Practice Exam

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Signs of venous peripheral vascular disease in the legs typically include:

  1. brown pigmentation at the ankles, warm legs, open area over the lateral malleolus

  2. normal color, severe pain, open sore at the end of the great toe

  3. shiny skin with no hair, pale extremities, pain with ambulation

  4. pitting edema, absent pulses, cyanotic feet when dependent

The correct answer is: brown pigmentation at the ankles, warm legs, open area over the lateral malleolus

The signs associated with venous peripheral vascular disease in the legs typically include brown pigmentation at the ankles, warm legs, and the presence of ulcers, particularly in areas such as around the lateral malleolus. This condition is often characterized by changes in skin coloration and texture due to chronic venous insufficiency, leading to conditions such as stasis dermatitis and venous ulcers. The brown pigmentation occurs as a result of hemosiderin deposition from red blood cell breakdown in the tissues, indicating chronic venous stasis. In contrast, venous disease typically results in warm legs due to the pooling of blood in the veins, as opposed to peripheral arterial disease, where legs may be cold and pale. The presence of an open area over the lateral malleolus indicates a common site for venous ulcers, which often occur due to increased pressure from the pooled blood. Other options include symptoms that are more indicative of arterial disease, such as shiny skin, hair loss, and pale extremities, which signal inadequate blood supply. Similarly, signs like pitting edema and absent pulses are linked to a more severe impairment in arterial flow rather than venous issues. Understanding these differences helps in accurately assessing and managing patients with vascular diseases.