During an assessment, the nurse notices that a patient's left arm is swollen from the shoulder down to the fingers, with nonpitting brawny edema. The right arm is normal. The patient had a left-sided mastectomy 1 year ago. Based on these findings, what does the nurse suspect?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Lymphedema after breast cancer causes unilateral swelling and nonpitting brawny edema, with overlying skin indurated. It is caused by the removal of lymph nodes with breast surgery or damage to lymph nodes and channels with radiation therapy for breast cancer, and lymphedema can impede drainage of lymph. The other responses are not correct. Venous stasis is the pooling of blood in the legs, not in the arms. Deep vein thrombosis is the development of a thrombus, or clot, in a deep vein, most commonly in the legs, not the arms. Arteriosclerosis is increased rigidity of the peripheral blood vessels that occurs with aging. The symptoms this patient is experiencing are from lymphedema.

During an Assessment, the Nurse Notices That a Patient's Left