intermittent claudication (ic) is one of the defining characteristics approved by nanda international (nanda-i) for the nursing diagnosis, ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion. for the correct identification of this defining feature, the nurse must know the clinical characteristics and have specific data collection skills. the aim of this article was to highlight aspects relevant to the identification of ic during the assessment and physical exam performed by the nurse. based on specific guidelines and other publications on the subject, we described the clinical characteristics of ic and its differentiation from other phenomena that have nociceptive effects on lower limbs. questionnaires were applied for the traceability of ic, for changes in physical examination, which may accompany the symptom and evaluation through the ankle-brachial index.
