Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) Practice Test

What type of pain is characteristic of LEAD?

1. Sharp pain during exercise

2. Nocturnal and rest pain

3. Sudden onset of severe pain

4. Shooting pain focused at the knees

The correct answer is: Nocturnal and rest pain

The characteristic pain associated with LEAD (Lower Extremity Arterial Disease) is nocturnal and rest pain. This type of pain arises due to reduced blood flow in the lower extremities, especially during periods of inactivity such as at night. Patients typically experience pain that occurs when they are resting, which may improve with dangling the legs or walking. This is a key indicator that helps distinguish LEAD from other types of pain that may occur during physical activity or have different patterns. While sharp pain during exercise, sudden onset of severe pain, and shooting pain focused at the knees could be related to various other conditions, they do not align with the typical presentation of LEAD. In LEAD, the pain often worsens with exercise (claudication) but is specifically characterized by the discomfort experienced at rest or during nighttime when the patient is less active.