Peripheral Arterial Disease — NCLEX Cheat Sheet
↓ arterial flow to limbsAlso known as: PAD · poor leg circulation · peripheral artery disease · arterial insufficiency
Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Peripheral Arterial Disease on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
🩺📒 The 1-minute cheat sheet
🩺 Signs
- Intermittent claudication
- Cool, pale, hairless, shiny skin
- ↓ pulses, pain worse w/ elevation
- Pain relieved by dangling
✅ Do
- Dangle legs, keep warm
- Walk to tolerance, foot care
📌 Avoid
- No leg elevation
- No smoking, no crossing legs
- No tight clothing/cold
🚩 Report
- Critical ischemia → gangrene
📚 Peripheral Arterial Disease — full study notes
The cheat sheet above is your quick recall card. These notes go deeper — what it is, what to do first, what must be reported, and what to teach.
Key points
Understand these first- Intermittent claudication is cramping leg pain with walking that is relieved by rest.
- Affected limbs are cool, pale, shiny, and hairless with diminished or absent pulses and thick toenails.
- Pain worsens with elevation and improves with dependent (dangling) positioning because gravity aids arterial flow.
- Arterial ulcers are painful, round, and on the toes or pressure points with little drainage.
- Major risk factors are smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.
Nursing priorities
What to do, in order- Assess and document peripheral pulses, skin color, temperature, capillary refill, and pain.
- Position the legs in a dependent or neutral position rather than elevated to promote arterial flow.
- Encourage a gradual walking program to promote collateral circulation as tolerated.
- Promote smoking cessation and protect the extremities from injury and temperature extremes.
- Administer antiplatelet medications and manage diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol as ordered.
Red flags — report now
Escalate immediately- Sudden severe leg pain with pallor, pulselessness, coldness, and numbness signals acute arterial occlusion and is a limb-threatening emergency.
- A new non-healing ulcer or signs of gangrene must be reported immediately.
- Loss of a previously present pulse requires immediate provider notification.
Labs & values
Numbers to know- Ankle-brachial index (ABI): normal 0.9-1.3; below 0.9 indicates PAD
- Lipid panel: LDL goal less than 100 mg/dL
- Hemoglobin A1c to assess diabetes control
Patient teaching
What patients must know- Stop smoking completely, as nicotine constricts arteries and worsens the disease.
- Inspect the feet daily, wear well-fitting shoes, avoid going barefoot, and protect the legs from heat, cold, and injury.
- Walk regularly to the point of pain then rest, keep the legs in a dependent position, and avoid crossing the legs or tight clothing.
❓ Peripheral Arterial Disease: NCLEX FAQs
What are the priority nursing interventions for Peripheral Arterial Disease?
Assess and document peripheral pulses, skin color, temperature, capillary refill, and pain. Position the legs in a dependent or neutral position rather than elevated to promote arterial flow. Encourage a gradual walking program to promote collateral circulation as tolerated. Promote smoking cessation and protect the extremities from injury and temperature extremes.
What are the warning signs of Peripheral Arterial Disease a nurse must report?
Sudden severe leg pain with pallor, pulselessness, coldness, and numbness signals acute arterial occlusion and is a limb-threatening emergency. A new non-healing ulcer or signs of gangrene must be reported immediately. Loss of a previously present pulse requires immediate provider notification.
What do I need to know about Peripheral Arterial Disease for the NCLEX?
Intermittent claudication is cramping leg pain with walking that is relieved by rest. Affected limbs are cool, pale, shiny, and hairless with diminished or absent pulses and thick toenails. Pain worsens with elevation and improves with dependent (dangling) positioning because gravity aids arterial flow. Arterial ulcers are painful, round, and on the toes or pressure points with little drainage.
What patient teaching is important for Peripheral Arterial Disease?
Stop smoking completely, as nicotine constricts arteries and worsens the disease. Inspect the feet daily, wear well-fitting shoes, avoid going barefoot, and protect the legs from heat, cold, and injury. Walk regularly to the point of pain then rest, keep the legs in a dependent position, and avoid crossing the legs or tight clothing.
Quick Tip
Intermittent claudication is cramping leg pain with walking that is relieved by rest.
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