A chronic diabetic who is at risk of developing peripheral artery disease. For further evaluation following blood pressure values are obtained from ; BP in the right brachial artery measure 120mmhg % in the left brachial artery measure 118 mmhg. Similarly, the value of BP in the right posterior tibial artery measures 126 mmhg and in the left posterior tibial artery measures 110 mmhg. Calculate ABI value for this patient?

1. A

   Left ABI 1.05 ; Right ABI 0.85

2. B

   Left ABI 0.93 ; Right ABI 1.05

3. C

   Left ABI 0.65 ; Right ABI 1.09

4. D

   Left ABI 1.32 ; Right ABI 0.73

Appeared in: NORCET-11 Prelims

Explanation

• ABI is calculated as ankle systolic pressure divided by the highest brachial systolic pressure.
• Right ABI = 126 / 120 = 1.05; Left ABI = 110 / 118 ≈ 0.93.
• ABI values below 0.9 indicate PAD; values above 1.3 may indicate noncompressible arteries, often seen in diabetes.
• Correct calculation matches option: Left ABI 0.93 ; Right ABI 1.05.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: This option reverses the ABI values for left and right legs. The calculation does not match the provided pressures.
• Option C: Left ABI 0.65 and right ABI 1.09 do not match the calculated values from the provided pressures.
• Option D: Left ABI 1.32 and right ABI 0.73 are not supported by the given blood pressure values.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: Knowing Calculation and interpretation of Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) in peripheral artery disease risk assessment helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
• ABI is a noninvasive, objective tool to assess for peripheral artery disease, especially in high-risk patients like diabetics.
• Early detection of PAD allows for timely intervention to prevent complications such as ulcers or limb loss.
• What if? If the ABI was below 0.9 in either leg, it would indicate significant arterial insufficiency and require further vascular evaluation.

How to Approach the Question

• Identify the highest systolic pressure in each ankle and each arm.
• Use the highest brachial pressure as the denominator for both legs.
• Divide each ankle's highest systolic pressure by the highest brachial pressure to get ABI for each leg.
• Compare your calculated values to the options provided.
• Select the option that matches your calculations.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Calculation and interpretation of Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) in peripheral artery disease risk assessment
• Stem keywords: chronic diabetic, peripheral artery disease, blood pressure values, right brachial artery 120 mmHg, left brachial artery 118 mmHg, right posterior tibial artery 126 mmHg, left posterior tibial artery 110 mmHg
• Lead-in keywords: Calculate, ABI value
• Clinical cues: Diabetes increases risk for PAD
• Clinical cues: ABI helps detect arterial insufficiency

Question ID

Qyj94-VvZMaVXxHTJR5pfX

Copy ID

Reference Book

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 1 Part 3 p. 56-58