CEA Nursing Practice Exam

A 55-year-old male with leg pain and shortness of breath upon ambulation is likely suffering from:

1. Pulmonary embolism

2. Venous thromboembolism

3. Aging

4. Peripheral arterial disease

The correct answer is: Peripheral arterial disease

The symptoms of leg pain and shortness of breath upon ambulation strongly suggest peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD is characterized by the narrowing of the arteries, often due to atherosclerosis, which can lead to reduced blood flow, especially during physical activities like walking. This reduced blood flow can cause pain in the legs (intermittent claudication) and can lead to the inability to walk long distances without discomfort. Shortness of breath during ambulation in this context could arise from the physical exertion exacerbating the underlying circulatory issues caused by PAD, as the body may struggle to meet the oxygen demands of the muscles when blood flow is compromised. In contrast, pulmonary embolism typically presents with sudden onset of shortness of breath, chest pain, and may involve leg symptoms if there is a deep vein thrombosis present, but the specific combination of symptoms presented in this case leans more towards peripheral issues rather than acute pulmonary issues. While venous thromboembolism focuses more on issues like clotting in the veins, which can be serious but presents differently, aging can contribute to these conditions but is not a definitive diagnosis in itself. Therefore, peripheral arterial disease is the most appropriate diagnosis based on the symptoms described.