While performing an assessment of a 65-year-old man with a history of hypertension and coronary artery disease, the nurse notices the presence of bilateral pitting edema in the lower legs. The skin is puffy and tight but normal in color. No increased redness or tenderness is observed over his lower legs, and the peripheral pulses are equal and strong. In this situation, the nurse suspects that the likely cause of the edema is which condition?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Bilateral edema or edema that is generalized over the entire body is caused by a central problem such as heart failure or kidney failure. Unilateral edema usually has a local or peripheral cause. Venous stasis is pooling of blood in the veins, usually in the lower extremities, and results in dusky rubor of dependent extremities. Localized inflammation produces redness and warmth of the affect area. Peripheral arterial insufficiency is decreased arterial blood flow to an area and can cause localized hypothermia and difficulty palpating a distal pulse.

While Performing an Assessment of a 65-Year-Old Man with a History