Upon performance of a reactive hyperemia exam, what hemodynamic response occurs in a patient with arterial obstruction?

In the context of a reactive hyperemia exam, the correct response indicating the hemodynamic response in a patient with arterial obstruction is that hyperemia is prolonged in an obstructed limb.

Reactive hyperemia occurs when there is a temporary stoppage of blood flow (for example, from occlusion), followed by an increase in blood flow to the affected area once the blockage is removed. In a healthy vascular system, the response would typically include a rapid increase in blood flow to compensate for the prior occlusion. However, in patients with arterial obstruction, the ability of blood vessels to dilate and increase blood flow is compromised. This leads to a prolonged hyperemia because the blood vessels struggle to maintain adequate perfusion.

In this scenario, the initial lack of ability to restore normal blood flow swiftly results in a situation where, once the obstruction is relieved, the hyperemic response doesn’t revert to baseline quickly as it would in a non-obstructed limb. Instead, the duration of increased blood flow is extended, reflecting the impaired vascular function associated with obstruction.

The other choices do not accurately describe the vascular response seen in patients with arterial obstruction. Normal hyperemia would not occur as expected due to the impairment, and the absence of hyperemia would indicate