Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) Practice Exam

Which condition is NOT a characteristic of nocturnal pain related to arterial occlusion?

1. Worsening with elevation

2. Immediate relief when depends

3. Accompanied by swelling

4. Occurring at night

The correct answer is: Accompanied by swelling

Nocturnal pain related to arterial occlusion typically presents certain characteristics. In this context, the correct answer focuses on the absence of swelling as a characteristic of this specific type of pain. Conditions related to arterial occlusion, such as peripheral artery disease, result in pain due to inadequate blood flow. This pain tends to become more pronounced when the affected limb is elevated, as elevating the limb can exacerbate ischemia and lead to further discomfort. Conversely, patients often experience immediate relief when the limb is placed in a dependent position, where gravity assists in improving blood flow to the area. Nocturnal pain due to arterial occlusion is indeed more common at night, which can interrupt sleep as discomfort increases during this time. However, swelling is typically associated more with venous disorders, such as chronic venous insufficiency, rather than arterial conditions. In the case of arterial occlusion, the lack of blood flow usually leads to a pallid appearance and coolness of the skin, rather than swelling. Thus, it is appropriate to identify that swelling does not characterize nocturnal pain associated with arterial occlusion.