The steps to obtaining an ABI are:

Question

1. Apply the appropriate size blood pressure cuff to the patient's ankle above the malleolus.
2. Measure brachial pressures in both arms.
3. Have the patient rest in a supine position for about 5 minutes.
4. Palpate the posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis arteries.
Put the steps of measuring an ABI in the correct order.
A) 1, 2, 3, 4
B) 4, 2, 1, 3
C) 3, 1, 4, 2
D) 2, 4, 3, 1

Answer 1

Ans: C

Feedback: The first step in determining the ABI is to have the patient rest in a supine position (not seated) for approximately 5 minutes. An appropriate-sized blood pressure cuff (typically, a 10-cm cuff) is applied to the patient's ankle above the malleolus. After identifying an arterial signal at the posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis arteries, the systolic pressures are obtained in both ankles. Diastolic pressures in the ankles cannot be measured with a Doppler. If pressure in these arteries cannot be measured, pressure can be measured in the peroneal artery, which can also be assessed at the ankle. Doppler ultrasonography is used to measure brachial pressures in both arms.