Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) Practice Exam

What is the first-line therapy antiplatelet agent for Lower Extremity Arterial Disease (LEAD)?

1. Aspirin

2. Clopidogrel

3. Cilostazol

4. Vorapaxar

The correct answer is: Cilostazol

The first-line therapy antiplatelet agent for Lower Extremity Arterial Disease (LEAD) is aspirin. Aspirin is widely recommended due to its effectiveness in inhibiting platelet aggregation, which helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with LEAD. Its use is supported by a substantial body of evidence demonstrating that it can improve outcomes and lower the incidence of complications related to atherosclerosis. While other agents like clopidogrel and cilostazol have their roles in the management of peripheral arterial disease, aspirin remains the cornerstone of antiplatelet therapy due to its favorable balance of efficacy and safety. Cilostazol, while used for its vasodilatory effects as well as its antiplatelet properties, is not designated as the first-line agent for LEAD. Vorapaxar, on the other hand, is more commonly used in the context of acute coronary syndrome and not specifically for LEAD. Therefore, the overall clinical guidelines favor aspirin as the initial approach for managing antiplatelet therapy in patients with lower extremity arterial disease.