During a clinic visit,a woman in her seventh month of pregnancy complains that her legs feel "heavy in the calf" and that she often has foot cramps at night.The nurse notices that the patient has dilated,tortuous veins in her lower legs.Which condition is reflected by these findings?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Superficial varicose veins are caused by incompetent distant valves on veins,which results in reflux of blood and producing dilated,tortuous veins.They are more common in women,and pregnancy can also be a cause.Symptoms include aching,heaviness in the calf,easy fatigability,and night leg or foot cramps.Dilated,tortuous veins are seen on assessment.See Table 20-5 for the description of deep vein thrombophlebitis.See Table 20-2 for descriptions of Raynaud's phenomenon and lymphedema.

During a Clinic Visit,a Woman in Her Seventh Month of Pregnancy