Which sign indicates peripheral vascular disease that may delay wound healing?

Which sign indicates peripheral vascular disease that may delay wound healing?

• A. Diminished or absent distal pulses
• B. Warm, well-perfused skin
• C. Normal capillary refill
• D. Increased hair regrowth on toes

Answer: (A)

Arterial insufficiency from peripheral vascular disease reduces blood flow to the extremities, which slows wound healing because tissues don’t receive enough oxygen and nutrients needed for repair. Diminished or absent distal pulses are a direct sign of reduced arterial perfusion to the limb. When the pulses are weak or missing, the tissues aren’t getting adequate blood supply, making it harder for wounds to heal and increasing the risk of nonhealing ulcers. Warm, well-perfused skin would indicate good blood flow rather than poor perfusion, so it doesn’t signal a healing delay from PAD. Normal capillary refill suggests adequate perfusion, not the impaired flow seen with PAD. Increased hair regrowth on the toes would imply improved blood flow, whereas PAD often causes hair thinning or loss due to reduced perfusion. So the presence of diminished distal pulses best points to peripheral vascular disease impacting wound healing.

Arterial insufficiency from peripheral vascular disease reduces blood flow to the extremities, which slows wound healing because tissues don’t receive enough oxygen and nutrients needed for repair.

Diminished or absent distal pulses are a direct sign of reduced arterial perfusion to the limb. When the pulses are weak or missing, the tissues aren’t getting adequate blood supply, making it harder for wounds to heal and increasing the risk of nonhealing ulcers.

Warm, well-perfused skin would indicate good blood flow rather than poor perfusion, so it doesn’t signal a healing delay from PAD. Normal capillary refill suggests adequate perfusion, not the impaired flow seen with PAD. Increased hair regrowth on the toes would imply improved blood flow, whereas PAD often causes hair thinning or loss due to reduced perfusion.

So the presence of diminished distal pulses best points to peripheral vascular disease impacting wound healing.