Intermittent vascular claudication is best described as which of the following?

Intermittent vascular claudication is best described as which of the following?

• A. Pain with rest in the lower extremities
• B. Pain with activity in the lower extremities
• C. Pain in the toes at night
• D. Pain in the shoulders with activity

Answer: (B)

Intermittent claudication is a symptom of peripheral artery disease where the leg muscles don’t get enough blood during exercise. The hallmark is pain or cramping in the legs that appears with activity (like walking) and is relieved by rest. This pattern happens because exertion increases the muscle’s oxygen demand, and narrowed arteries can’t supply enough blood to meet that demand. Understanding the other descriptions helps solidify why this is the right one: pain that occurs at rest suggests more severe ischemia or different problems, and isn’t tied to activity. toe pain at night could be due to neuropathy or nonvascular causes, and pain in the shoulders with activity points to a problem in the shoulder or another area, not the legs’ blood flow.

Intermittent claudication is a symptom of peripheral artery disease where the leg muscles don’t get enough blood during exercise. The hallmark is pain or cramping in the legs that appears with activity (like walking) and is relieved by rest. This pattern happens because exertion increases the muscle’s oxygen demand, and narrowed arteries can’t supply enough blood to meet that demand.

Understanding the other descriptions helps solidify why this is the right one: pain that occurs at rest suggests more severe ischemia or different problems, and isn’t tied to activity. toe pain at night could be due to neuropathy or nonvascular causes, and pain in the shoulders with activity points to a problem in the shoulder or another area, not the legs’ blood flow.