14 Assessing Peripheral
Vascular System
EMILIO A. CORRAL JR., RN, PTRP
Clinical Instructor: Health Assessment
CONTENTS
1. OVERVIEW
2. LEARNING OUTCOMES
3. REVIEW OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
4. ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE
5. SPECIAL PROCEDURES
1. OVERVIEW
Peripheral vascular assessment is a vital component of a comprehensive
total body assessment.
This presentation will introduce you on how to systematically gather data
about the peripheral vascular system. It starts with a brief review of the
anatomy and physiology of those body parts and followed by a discussion of
health assessment wherein collection of subjective and objective data are
given emphasis. Subsequently, the data are compared to normal findings to
determine the presence of any abnormalities. Finally, a brief discussion of
validating and documenting findings as well as diagnostic reasoning is
presented.
The key objective of this presentation is for you to gather and analyze data
about peripheral vascular system to identify any abnormal findings necessary
for the formulation of an accurate nursing diagnosis.
2. LEARNING OUTCOMES
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1V Identify the basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology
related to physical assessment of peripheral vascular diseases.
2 Differentiate variations of normal and abnormal assessment
data.
3v Demonstrate health assessment technique in performing
physical assessment of peripheral vascular diseases.
4 Analyze the data gathered from the physical assessment of
peripheral vascular .
diseases.
3. REVIEW OF ANATOMY &
PHYSIOLOGY
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR SYSTEM
REVIEW OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY: PVD
REVIEW OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY: PVD
ARTERY:
➢ are the blood vessels that
carry oxygenated, nutrient
rich blood from the heart
to the capillaries.
➢ arterial network is a high-
pressure system
➢ are located in protected
areas, far from the surface
of the skin.
Characteristics of Arterial Insufficiency
Characteristics of Arterial Ulcer
REVIEW OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY: PVD
VEINS:
➢ are the blood vessels that
carry deoxygenated,
nutrient depleted, waste-
laden blood from the
tissues back to the heart
➢ veins of the arms, upper
trunk, head, and neck
carry blood to the superior
vena cava, where it passes
into the right atrium.
REVIEW OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY: PVD
VEINS:
➢ Blood from the lower trunk
and legs drains upward
into the inferior vena cava.
➢ veins contain nearly 70%
of the body’s blood
volume.
➢ vein walls are much
thinner
REVIEW OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY: PVD
VEINS:
➢ veins are larger in
diameter than arteries and
can expand if blood
volume increases.
Characteristics of Venous Insufficiency
Characteristics of Venous Ulcer
REVIEW OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY: PVD
VEINS: CAPILLARY SYSTEM
REVIEW OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY: PVD
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM:
> an integral and complementary component of the
circulatory system, is a complex vascular system
composed of lymphatic capillaries, lymphatic
vessels, and lymph nodes:
REVIEW OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY: PVD
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM:
> an integral and complementary component of the
circulatory system, is a complex vascular system
composed of lymphatic capillaries, lymphatic
vessels, and lymph nodes:
Types of Edema
Types of Edema
4. ASSESSMENT
PROCEDURE
COLLECTING SUBJECTIVE DATA: The Nursing Health History
1. History of Present Health Concern
2. Personal Health History
3. Family History
4. Lifestyle and Health Practices
COLLECTING OBJECTIVE DATA: Physical Examination
➢ Involves inspection, palpation, and auscultation
➢ Compare the client’s arms and legs bilaterally
➢ Better objective data can be gained by assessing a particular
feature on one extremity and then the other
COLLECTING OBJECTIVE DATA: Preparing the client
➢ Ask the client to put on examination gown.
➢ Make sure that the room is at comfortable temperature.
➢ Inform the client;
➢ inspection and palpation all four extremities.
➢ exposure of groin areas
COLLECTING OBJECTIVE DATA: Preparing the client
➢ As you perform the examination explain in detail
➢ what you are doing and answer any questions the client may
have.
➢ the client need to follow your directions for assessment
techniques toward the end of the examination.
REVIEW OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY: PVD
5. SPECIAL PROCEDURES
ABI Procedure
REVIEW OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY: PVD