Chapter 21: Peripheral Vascular System
and Lymphatic System
Physical Examination and Health Assessment, 8th Edition by
Carolyn Jarvis
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which statement is true regarding the arterial system?
a. Arteries are large-diameter vessels.
b. The arterial system is a high-pressure system.
c. The walls of arteries are thinner than those of the veins.
d. Arteries can greatly expand to accommodate a large blood volume increase.
ANS: B
The pumping heart makes the arterial system a high-pressure system.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
MSC: Client Needs: General
2. The nurse is reviewing the blood supply to the arm. The major artery supplying the arm is
the artery.
a. Ulnar
b. Radial
c. Brachial
d. Deep palmar
ANS: C
The major artery supplying the arm is the brachial artery. The brachial artery
bifurcates into the ulnar and radial arteries immediately below the elbow. In the
hand, the ulnar and radial arteries form two arches known as the superficial and
deep palmar arches.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
MSC: Client Needs: General
3. The nurse is preparing to assess the dorsalis pedis artery. Where is the correct location for
palpation?
a. Behind the knee
b. Over the lateral malleolus
c. In the groove behind the medial malleolus
d. Lateral to the extensor tendon of the great toe
ANS: D
, The dorsalis pedis artery is located on the dorsum of the foot. The nurse should
palpate just lateral to and parallel with the extensor tendon of the big toe. The
popliteal artery is palpated behind the knee. The posterior tibial pulse is palpated
in the groove between the malleolus and the Achilles tendon. No pulse is palpated
at the lateral malleolus.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
MSC: Client Needs: General
4. A 65-year-old patient is experiencing pain in his left calf when he exercises that
disappears after resting for a few minutes. The nurse recognizes that this description is
most consistent with the left leg.
a. Venous obstruction of
b. Claudication due to venous abnormalities in
c. Ischemia caused by a partial blockage of an artery supplying
d. Ischemia caused by the complete blockage of an artery supplying
ANS: C
Ischemia is a deficient supply of oxygenated arterial blood to a tissue. A partial
blockage creates an insufficien supply, and theischemia may be apparent only
during exercise when oxygen needs increase.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyzing (Analysis)
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
5. The nurse is reviewing venous blood flow patterns. Which of these statements best
describes themechanism(s) by which venous blood returns to theheart?
a. Intraluminal valves ensure unidirectional flow toward theheart.
b. Contracting skeletal muscles milk blood distally toward the veins.
c. High-pressure system of theheart helps facilitate venous return.
d. Increased thoracic pressure and decreased abdominal pressure facilitate venous
return to theheart.
ANS: A
Blood moves through the veins by (1) contracting skeletal muscles that proximally
milk the blood; (2) pressure gradients caused by breathing, during which
inspiration makes thethoracic pressure decrease and theabdominal pressure
increase; and (3) theintraluminal valves, which ensure unidirectional flow toward
theheart.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
MSC: Client Needs: General
6. Which vein(s) is(are) responsible for most of thevenous return in the arm?
a. Deep
b. Ulnar
and Lymphatic System
Physical Examination and Health Assessment, 8th Edition by
Carolyn Jarvis
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which statement is true regarding the arterial system?
a. Arteries are large-diameter vessels.
b. The arterial system is a high-pressure system.
c. The walls of arteries are thinner than those of the veins.
d. Arteries can greatly expand to accommodate a large blood volume increase.
ANS: B
The pumping heart makes the arterial system a high-pressure system.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
MSC: Client Needs: General
2. The nurse is reviewing the blood supply to the arm. The major artery supplying the arm is
the artery.
a. Ulnar
b. Radial
c. Brachial
d. Deep palmar
ANS: C
The major artery supplying the arm is the brachial artery. The brachial artery
bifurcates into the ulnar and radial arteries immediately below the elbow. In the
hand, the ulnar and radial arteries form two arches known as the superficial and
deep palmar arches.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
MSC: Client Needs: General
3. The nurse is preparing to assess the dorsalis pedis artery. Where is the correct location for
palpation?
a. Behind the knee
b. Over the lateral malleolus
c. In the groove behind the medial malleolus
d. Lateral to the extensor tendon of the great toe
ANS: D
, The dorsalis pedis artery is located on the dorsum of the foot. The nurse should
palpate just lateral to and parallel with the extensor tendon of the big toe. The
popliteal artery is palpated behind the knee. The posterior tibial pulse is palpated
in the groove between the malleolus and the Achilles tendon. No pulse is palpated
at the lateral malleolus.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
MSC: Client Needs: General
4. A 65-year-old patient is experiencing pain in his left calf when he exercises that
disappears after resting for a few minutes. The nurse recognizes that this description is
most consistent with the left leg.
a. Venous obstruction of
b. Claudication due to venous abnormalities in
c. Ischemia caused by a partial blockage of an artery supplying
d. Ischemia caused by the complete blockage of an artery supplying
ANS: C
Ischemia is a deficient supply of oxygenated arterial blood to a tissue. A partial
blockage creates an insufficien supply, and theischemia may be apparent only
during exercise when oxygen needs increase.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyzing (Analysis)
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
5. The nurse is reviewing venous blood flow patterns. Which of these statements best
describes themechanism(s) by which venous blood returns to theheart?
a. Intraluminal valves ensure unidirectional flow toward theheart.
b. Contracting skeletal muscles milk blood distally toward the veins.
c. High-pressure system of theheart helps facilitate venous return.
d. Increased thoracic pressure and decreased abdominal pressure facilitate venous
return to theheart.
ANS: A
Blood moves through the veins by (1) contracting skeletal muscles that proximally
milk the blood; (2) pressure gradients caused by breathing, during which
inspiration makes thethoracic pressure decrease and theabdominal pressure
increase; and (3) theintraluminal valves, which ensure unidirectional flow toward
theheart.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
MSC: Client Needs: General
6. Which vein(s) is(are) responsible for most of thevenous return in the arm?
a. Deep
b. Ulnar
