A 57-year-old patient reports experiencing leg pain whenever he walks several blocks. The patient has type 1 diabetes and has smoked two packs of cigarettes per day for the past 40 years

Question

The physician diagnoses intermittent claudication. The nurse should provide which instruction about long-term care?
A) Practice meticulous foot care.
B) Consider cutting down on your smoking.
C) Reduce your exercise level.
D) See the physician if the symptoms bother you.

Answer 1

Ans: A
Feedback: Intermittent claudication and other chronic peripheral vascular diseases reduce oxygenation to the feet, making them susceptible to injury and poor healing; therefore, meticulous foot care is essential. The nurse should teach the patient to bathe his feet in warm water, dry them thoroughly, cut his toenails straight across, wear well-fitting shoes, and avoid taking medication unless cleared by the physician. The patient should stop smoking, not just cut down, because nicotine is a vasoconstrictor. Daily walking benefits the patient with intermittent claudication. This patient should see the physician regularly, not just when he's bothered by symptoms.