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enzyme poisoning;
altered affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen
NOC Outcomes (Nursing Outcomes Classification)
Suggested NOC Labels
Circulation Status
Cardiac Pump Effectiveness: Tissue Perfusion: Cardiac
Tissue Perfusion: Cerebral
Tissue Perfusion: Peripheral
Fluid Balance
Hydration
Urinary Elimination
Client Outcomes
Demonstrates adequate tissue perfusion as evidenced by palpable peripheral pulses, warm and dry
skin, adequate urinary output, and the absence of respiratory distress
Verbalizes knowledge of treatment regimen, including appropriate exercise and medications and their
actions and possible side effects
Identifies changes in lifestyle that are needed to increase tissue perfusion
NIC Interventions (Nursing Interventions Classification)
Suggested NIC Labels
Circulatory Care: Arterial Insufficiency
Nursing Interventions and Rationales
Cerebral perfusion
1. If client experiences dizziness because of orthostatic hypotension when getting up, teach methods
to decrease dizziness, such as remaining seated for several minutes before standing, flexing feet
upward several times while seated, rising slowly, sitting down immediately if feeling dizzy, and trying
to have someone present when standing.
Orthostatic hypotension results in temporary decreased cerebral perfusion.
2. Monitor neurological status; do a neurological examination; and if symptoms of a cerebrovascular
accident (CVA) occur (e.g., hemiparesis, hemiplegia, or dysphasia), call 911 and send to the
emergency room.
New onset of these neurological symptoms can signify a stroke. If caused by a thrombus and the client
receives treatment within 3 hours, a stroke can often be reversed.
3. See care plans for Decreased Intracranial adaptive capacity, Risk for Injury, and Acute Confusion.
Peripheral perfusion
1. Check dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulses bilaterally. If unable to find them, use a Doppler
stethoscope and notify physician if pulses not present.
Diminished or absent peripheral pulses indicate arterial insufficiency (Harris, Brown-Etris, TroyerCaudle, 1996).
2. Note skin color and feel temperature of the skin.
Skin pallor or mottling, cool or cold skin temperature, or an absent pulse can signal arterial
obstruction, which is an emergency that requires immediate intervention. Rubor (reddish-blue color
accompanied by dependency) indicates dilated or damaged vessels. Brownish discoloration of skin
indicates chronic venous insufficiency (Bright, Georgi, 1992; Feldman, 1998).
3. Check capillary refill.
Nail beds usually return to a pinkish color within 3 seconds after nail bed compression (Dykes, 1993).
4. Note skin texture and the presence of hair, ulcers, or gangrenous areas on the legs or feet.
Thin, shiny, dry skin with hair loss; brittle nails; and gangrene or ulcerations on toes and anterior
surfaces of feet are seen in clients with arterial insufficiency. If ulcerations are on the side of the leg,
they are usually venous (Bates, Bickley, Hoekelman, 1998).
5. Note presence of edema in extremities and rate it on a four-point scale. Measure circumference of
ankles and calf at the same time each day in the early morning (Cahall, Spence, 1995).
6. Assess for pain in extremities, noting severity, quality, timing, and exacerbating and alleviating
factors. Differentiate venous from arterial disease. In clients with venous insufficiency the pain lessens
with elevation of the legs and exercise.
In clients with arterial insufficiency the pain increases with elevation of the legs and exercise (Black,
1995). Some clients have both arterial and venous insufficiency. Arterial insufficiency is associated with
pain when walking (claudication) that is relieved by rest. Clients with severe arterial disease have foot
pain while at rest, which keeps them awake at night. Venous insufficiency is associated with aching,
cramping, and discomfort (Bright, Georgi, 1992).
Arterial insufficiency
1. Monitor peripheral pulses. If new onset of loss of pulses with bluish, purple, or black areas and
extreme pain, notify physician immediately.
These are symptoms of arterial obstruction that can result in loss of a limb if not immediately reversed.
2. Do not elevate legs above the level of the heart.
With arterial insufficiency, leg elevation decreases arterial blood supply to the legs.
3. For early arterial insufficiency, encourage exercise such as walking or riding an exercise bicycle from
30 to 60 minutes per day.
Exercise enhances the development of collateral circulation, strengthens muscles, and provides a
sense of well-being (Cahall, Spence, 1995). Aerobic exercise training can reverse age-related
peripheral circulatory problems in otherwise healthy older men (Beere et al, 1999). Exercise therapy
should be the initial intervention in nondisabling claudication (Zafar, Farkouh, Cheebro, 2000).
4. Keep client warm, and have client wear socks and shoes or sheepskin-lined slippers when mobile.
Do not apply heat.Clients with arterial insufficiency complain of being constantly cold; therefore keep
extremities warm to maintain vasodilation and blood supply. Heat application can easily damage
ischemic tissues (Creamer-Bauer, 1992).
5. Pay meticulous attention to foot care. Refer to podiatrist if client has a foot or nail abnormality.
Ischemic feet are very vulnerable to injury; meticulous foot care can prevent further injury.
6. If client has ischemic arterial ulcers, see care plan for Impaired Tissue integrity, but avoid use of
occlusive dressings.
Occlusive dressings should be used with caution in clients with arterial ulceration because of the
increased risk for cellulitis (Cahall, Spence, 1995).
Venous insufficiency
1. Elevate edematous legs as ordered and ensure that there is no pressure under the knee.
Elevation increases venous return and helps decrease edema. Pressure under the knee decreases
venous circulation.
2. Apply support hose as ordered.
Wearing support hose helps to decrease edema. Studies have demonstrated that thigh-high
compression stockings can effectively decrease the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (Brock,
1994).
3. Encourage client to walk with support hose on and perform toe up and point flex exercises.
Exercise helps increase venous return, build up collateral circulation, and strengthen the calf muscle
pumps (Cahall, Spence, 1995).
4. If client is overweight, encourage weight loss to decrease venous disease.
Obesity is a risk factor for development of chronic venous disease (Kunimoto et al, 2001).
5. Discuss lifestyle with client to see if occupation requires prolonged standing or sitting, which can
result in chronic venous disease (Kunimoto et al, 2001).
6. If client is mostly immobile, consult with physician regarding use of calf-high pneumatic compression
device for prevention of DVT.
Pneumatic compression devices can be effective in preventing deep vein thrombosis in the immobile
client (Hyers, 1999)
7. Observe for signs of deep vein thrombosis, including pain, tenderness, swelling in the calf and thigh,
and redness in the involved extremity. Take serial leg measurements of the thigh and leg
circumferences. In some clients there is a palpable, tender venous cord that can be felt in the popliteal
fossa. Do not rely on Homans' sign.
Thrombosis with clot formation is usually first detected as swelling of the involved leg and then as
pain. Leg measurement discrepancies >2 cm warrant further investigation. Homans' sign is not reliable
(Herzog, 1992; Launius, Graham, 1998). Unfortunately, symptoms of already-developed DVT will not
be found in 25% to 50% of clients' exams, even though the thrombus is present (Eftychiou, 1996;
Launius, Graham, 1998).
4. Teach client to avoid exposure to cold, to limit exposure to brief periods if going out in cold weather,
and to wear warm clothing.
5. For venous disease, teach the importance of wearing support hose as ordered, elevating legs at
intervals, and watching for skin breakdown on legs.
6. Teach client to recognize the signs and symptoms that need to be reported to a physician (e.g.,
change in skin temperature, color, sensation, or presence of a new lesion on the foot).