Washburn Tech 1

NR 161:Vascular Study Guide

1. Briefly discuss the A & P of the vascular system. Include what happens in the arteries, veins,
capillaries and lymph vessels.
-The peripheral vascular system comprises arteries, capillaries, veins, and the lymph vessels. The
function of this system is to maintain blood flow to supply adequate oxygen and nutrients to all
tissues. Any interruption of the blood flow results in tissue hypoxia, which can lead to tissue
necrosis (death) if untreated. Arteries are the vessels that carry the blood away from the heart
toward the tissues. Capillaries allow the efficient delivery of nutrients and oxygen into the
tissues and the removal of metabolic wastes from the tissues. The blood returns to the heart by
the way of the venules and veins. The lymph vessels accommodate the collection of lymph fluid
from the peripheral tissues and the transportation of the fluid to the venous circulatory system.

2. What are the factors that affect blood flow? How does blood viscosity work to affect blood
flow? What part(s) of the nervous system is in effect?
-Resistance and blood viscosity. Viscosity describes the thickness of the blood. And increase in
red blood cells or a decrease in body water produces hemoconcentration, which increases blood
viscosity. When blood is concentrated, the kidneys usually begin to retain water and the
movement of fluid out of the capillaries is restricted. Hydrostatic and osmotic pressures
normally maintain balanced movement of fluids in and out of the capillaries. Any mechanism
that alters capillary permeability changes the amount and direction of fluid movement, resulting
in change in blood viscosity. It effects the sympathetic nervous system, vasomotor center,
adrenal glands, kidneys.

3. Describe a nursing assessment you would do when assessing a patient’s vascular system.
a. Include the Six “P’s” characteristic of PVD that you would assess.

-Inspect the skin for color, lesion and pallor. Determine capillary refill time in the nail beds
to determine the adequacy of peripheral perfusion. Palpate the affected areas to evaluate
the temperature, detect edema, and assess peripheral pulses. Palpate skin temperature
bilaterally, moving proximal to distal, to detect any ischemic areas. Palpate pulses for
presence, symmetry, volume, and rhythm. The six P’s characteristic of PVD are pain,
pulselessness, poikilothermy, pallor, paresthesia, and paralysis.

4. What are the common therapeutic measures in a patient with PVD?

5. What is the nursing care related to these measures?

6. Briefly describe PAD, Thromboangitis obliterans, Raynaud’s phenomenon, & aneurysms.

7. What are some common blood tests used in identifying and treat PVD? Are there nursing
implications to these tests? What are they?
 Washburn Tech 2
NR 161:Vascular Study Guide

8. What is chronic venous insufficiency, venous thrombosis, and lymphangitis? How would you
detect these, and what are the nursing implications”

9. Describe surgical repair of aortic aneurysms. What are post operative complications? Think
about nursing diagnosis that would be appropriate.