Cardiovascular Drugs and Medications Q 40
For a client taking drugs to treat peripheral vascular disease, it is important to provide health education about:
A. Smoking cessation.
B. Developing a proper balance between rest and activity.
C. Proper foot care.
D. All of the above.
Correct Answer: D. All of the above.
Peripheral vascular disease (PAD) is a chronic progressive atherosclerotic disease leading to partial or total peripheral vascular occlusion. PAD typically affects the abdominal aorta, iliac arteries, lower limbs, and occasionally the upper extremities. An important component in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease is health education on preventing further injury to ischemic tissues. Medication therapy is only one aspect.
Option A: Aggressive risk factors modification is essential to lowering cardiovascular risk. Smoking cessation reduces the risk of PAD progression, cardiovascular events including myocardial infarction and stroke, and critical limb ischemia. Patient education, along with the use of behavioral therapy, nicotine replacement therapy, or pharmacological therapy, can be used to reduce smoking and improve cardiovascular outcomes.
Option B: Randomized trials have shown supervised exercise therapy programs to have significant improvement in claudication symptoms. A meta-analysis of 27 studies found exercise significantly improved pain-free walking distance by 269 feet and total walking distance by nearly 400 feet. Exercise programs typically consist of 30- to 45-minute length sessions conducted 4 to 5 times a week over the course of 12 weeks. A meta-analysis of five trials found no improvement in mortality with exercise therapy programs.
Option C: Indications for intervention include individuals with incapacitating claudication interfering with daily activity and limb salvage in patients with critical limb ischemia manifested by ischemic pain at rest, ulceration, and gangrene.