PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What symptom is commonly associated with severe claudication?

1. Pain at rest

2. Swelling in the feet

3. Loss of sensation in the fingers

4. Urinary frequency

The correct answer is: Pain at rest

Severe claudication is characterized by pain or cramping in the muscles of the legs or buttocks that occurs during physical activity, such as walking or climbing stairs, due to insufficient blood flow to the muscles. When the condition worsens, this symptom can escalate to include pain even at rest, particularly in the feet or toes. This phenomenon indicates that the blood flow has become critically compromised. Pain at rest is a significant and telling symptom, as it reflects a more advanced stage of peripheral artery disease (PAD). The presence of this symptom implies that the individual is experiencing a significant arterial blockage that hinders oxygen supply to the tissues, even when they are not exerting themselves. The other options listed do not directly correlate with the condition of severe claudication. Swelling in the feet can occur due to a variety of non-vascular issues, such as heart failure or venous insufficiency. Loss of sensation in the fingers generally pertains to neurological issues rather than vascular, and urinary frequency is related to urinary tract conditions or bladder problems, rather than symptoms directly linked to claudication or vascular insufficiency. Thus, the association of pain at rest with severe claudication aligns with the understanding of how advanced peripheral artery disease affects patients.