Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 86%
Simulated
A client with chronic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) asks the nurse why this disease developed. Which explanation by the nurse is most accurate?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
The correct answer is C. Chronic PAD is primarily caused by atherosclerosis, where a combination of platelets and fats accumulate in the arteries, forming plaques that narrow the vessel and reduce blood flow to the extremities. This process leads to reduced oxygen and nutrient supply, causing symptoms like intermittent claudication. Excess sodium (A) primarily affects blood pressure, not the direct development of PAD. Excess fats (B) can contribute to atherosclerosis but do not directly cause arterial constriction. Arterial injury (D) may lead to inflammation but is not the primary cause of atherosclerosis seen in chronic PAD.