Which of the following symptoms would best indicate a possible vasospastic disorder?

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Prepare for the LEIK Family Nurse Practitioner Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

A vasospastic disorder is characterized by the abnormal constriction of blood vessels, leading to reduced blood flow, particularly to the extremities such as fingers and toes. This condition can result in symptoms that specifically involve changes to the color and temperature of the affected areas.

The correct indication of a possible vasospastic disorder is represented by cool and discolored fingertips. This symptom reflects the diminished blood supply to the fingers, which is a hallmark of vasospasm. When blood vessels constrict, it can lead to a decrease in skin temperature and a change in coloration, often resulting in pale, bluish, or even purplish hues. These symptoms are indicative of the underlying vasospastic mechanism at work, which can occur in conditions such as Raynaud's phenomenon, where episodes of vasospasm are triggered by cold or stress.

In contrast, hot and swollen fingertips are more suggestive of inflammation or infection, where increased blood flow and swelling would be observed due to various other conditions but not a vasospastic one. Pulsatile hypoxia typically refers to a rhythmical nature to the hypoxia, which may not directly correlate with static vasospasm symptoms. Bright red inflamed fingertips denote a state of hyperemia rather than ischemia and are

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