Which feature is more characteristic of arterial peripheral arterial disease than venous insufficiency?

Which feature is more characteristic of arterial peripheral arterial disease than venous insufficiency?

• A. Intermittent claudication with cool skin
• B. Edema and heaviness
• C. Dull ache that improves with leg elevation
• D. Brownish discoloration only

Answer: (D)

The key idea is how arterial insufficiency presents differently from venous insufficiency. In arterial disease, reduced blood flow during activity causes intermittent claudication and skin that is cool to the touch due to poor perfusion. Venous insufficiency, on the other hand, tends to cause edema and a heavy feeling, a dull ache that typically improves with leg elevation (better venous return), and skin changes from hemosiderin deposition that produce brownish discoloration around the ankles. So the feature that best points to arterial disease is intermittent claudication with cool skin, because it reflects insufficient arterial inflow during exertion. Brownish discoloration is more characteristic of venous insufficiency.

The key idea is how arterial insufficiency presents differently from venous insufficiency. In arterial disease, reduced blood flow during activity causes intermittent claudication and skin that is cool to the touch due to poor perfusion. Venous insufficiency, on the other hand, tends to cause edema and a heavy feeling, a dull ache that typically improves with leg elevation (better venous return), and skin changes from hemosiderin deposition that produce brownish discoloration around the ankles.

So the feature that best points to arterial disease is intermittent claudication with cool skin, because it reflects insufficient arterial inflow during exertion. Brownish discoloration is more characteristic of venous insufficiency.