BCEN CEN Practice Question

In severe peripheral artery disease (PAD), patients often experience ischemic rest pain. This pain worsens with limb elevation or when lying flat because these positions decrease gravitational blood flow to the already poorly perfused lower extremities. The most appropriate intervention is to place the patient's legs in a dependent position (e.g., dangling them over the side of the bed), which allows gravity to assist in delivering blood to the feet, thereby relieving the ischemic pain. Applying direct heat is contraindicated due to the high risk of thermal injury to ischemic tissues that may have diminished sensation. Encouraging ambulation is incorrect for a patient with rest pain, as exercise would increase the oxygen demand of the muscles and worsen the pain. Elevating the limbs is the intervention for venous insufficiency, not arterial insufficiency, and would exacerbate the patient's pain.