NURS 258 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Blood Pressure, Lymphatic System, Hemorrhoid
PVS Book Notes:
Peripheral Vascular System and Lymphatic System – Jarvis (pgs. 514-527)
Applying SCDs and TED hose (pgs. 1150-1151, Box 47-7, 47-8)
Developmental Competence:
• Infants and Children:
o Lymphatic system has the same function for children as adults
o Lymphoid tissue is well developed at birth and grows rapidly until age 10 or 11
o By 6 years of age – lymphoid tissue reaches adult size, surpasses adult size by puberty
o Large in children, superficial ones are palpable
o Infection – excessive swelling and hyperplasia occur
• The Pregnant Woman:
o Hormonal changes cause vasodilation and the resulting drop in blood pressure
o Growing uterus obstructs drainage of the iliac veins and the inferior vena cave
o Low blood flow and increases venous pressure (dependent edema, varicosities in the
legs and vulva, and hemorrhoids)
• The Aging Adult:
o Peripheral blood vessels grow more rigid with age (arteriosclerosis)
o Rise in systolic blood pressure
o Atherosclerosis – deposition of fatty plaques on the intima of the arteries
Subjective Data:
• Leg pain or cramps
o Describe the type of pain
o Aggravated by activity
o How many blocks does it take to produce pain?
o Has it changed, worse with elevation?
o Does it wake you up at night?
o Any recent changes in exercise?
o What relieves the pain?
o Change in sexual function?
o Any history of vascular problems?
• Skin changes on arms or legs
o Change in temperature
o Bulging/crooked veins?
o Do you use support hose?
o Any leg sores or ulcers? Where?
• Swelling in arms or legs
o Swelling in one or both legs? When did it start?
o Time of day is it the worse
