Intermittent claudication is the typical feature of?

KPSC Staff Nurse - 2015

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: KPSC Staff Nurse - 2015

Explanation

Intermittent claudication is the hallmark symptom of Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD), particularly Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD).
It is defined as a cramp-like pain, ache, or fatigue in the muscles of the lower extremities that occurs during exercise and is relieved by a few minutes of rest.
The pain is caused by ischemia, where narrowed arteries (due to atherosclerosis) cannot deliver enough oxygenated blood to meet the increased metabolic demands of exercising muscles.
The location of the pain, such as the calf, thigh, or buttock, corresponds to the site of the arterial stenosis or occlusion.

Option A: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) affects the arteries supplying the heart muscle. Its classic symptom is angina pectoris, which is chest pain or discomfort on exertion.
Option C: Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) is a group of respiratory disorders characterized by inflammation and scarring of the lung tissue. The primary symptoms are shortness of breath (dyspnea) and a dry cough.
Option D: Renal Parenchymal Disease affects the functional tissue of the kidneys. Its signs and symptoms are related to kidney dysfunction, such as edema (swelling), hypertension, and abnormalities in urine output or composition, not exertional leg pain.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The primary symptom associated with Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A key nursing assessment for a patient reporting intermittent claudication is checking peripheral pulses (femoral, popliteal, dorsalis pedis, posterior tibial) and calculating the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI).
Patient education is crucial and should focus on a structured walking program (walking to the point of pain, resting, and repeating), meticulous foot care to prevent ulcers, and strict management of risk factors like smoking, diabetes, and hypertension.
What if? If the patient reports leg pain even at rest (rest pain), especially at night, this signifies critical limb ischemia, a more severe form of PAD. This is a medical emergency requiring urgent referral to a vascular specialist to prevent tissue loss and amputation.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key clinical term in the question stem, which is 'intermittent claudication'.
Define this term: It means muscle pain (usually in the legs) that starts with exercise and stops with rest.
Analyze the pathophysiology: This on/off pain pattern strongly suggests a problem with blood supply that is adequate at rest but insufficient during exertion (ischemia).
Evaluate the options based on this understanding:
Coronary Artery Disease: Affects the heart, causing chest pain (angina).
Peripheral Vascular Disease: Affects blood vessels in the limbs, which directly matches the location and nature of the symptom.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: The primary symptom associated with Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD).
Stem keywords: Intermittent claudication, typical feature
Lead-in keywords: is the typical feature of

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