Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) Practice Exam

What is a sign or symptom of arterial insufficiency?

1. Pain or ischemic-colored skin

2. Hemosiderin staining

3. Strong pedal pulses

4. ABI of 1.0

The correct answer is: Pain or ischemic-colored skin

Pain or ischemic-colored skin is a prominent sign of arterial insufficiency. This condition arises when insufficient blood flow occurs to a particular area of the body, often due to narrowed or blocked arteries. As a result, patients may experience pain, particularly during physical activities such as walking, which is often referred to as claudication. The skin may also present with a pale or bluish (ischemic) coloration due to inadequate oxygenation of the tissues resulting from reduced blood flow. In contrast, hemosiderin staining is typically associated with venous insufficiency, where blood pools in the veins and causes breakdown of red blood cells, leading to this discoloration. Strong pedal pulses indicate good arterial flow and would not suggest insufficiency; instead, they suggest that blood supply to the extremities is adequate. An Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) of 1.0 represents normal arterial flow, indicating no insufficiency. Thus, the symptoms associated with arterial insufficiency, particularly the pain and discoloration of skin, clearly distinguish it from other conditions.