An 80 year old man with a history of diabetes mellitus presents with acute pain, cyanosis and decreased temperature of the right lower extremity. Distal pulses are not obtainable via palpation or doppler. You suspect acute arterial occlusion.
Based on this assumption, which of the following statements is true?
- Warming of the extremity is expected to improve cyanosis in this case.
- The patient’s cyanosis is secondary to postobstructive vasodilation and venous stasis.
- Supplemental oxygen is not expected to improve cyanosis in this case.
- This degree of cyanosis is a clue to decreased arterial oxygen saturation being present in addition to the peripheral occlusion.
- Systemic vasodilators such as calcium channel blockers may improve this patient’s cyanosis.
This question appears in Med-Challenger Emergency Medicine Review with CME
Try for free and save. Ace your exams and meet your CME/MOC requirements for just $35 a month!
No matter your program, no matter the size, Med-Challenger for Groups and Institutions can better prepare your program or group, fulfill industry requirements, and increase test scores.
For personal medical education that includes board's prep, MOC, and CME requirements, Med-Challenger has you covered in Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, OBGYN, Physician Assistants, and Nurse Practitioners.