A nurse is assessing a client with a history of heart failure who presents with severe edema in the lower extremities. The nurse would document the presence of +4 pitting edema after noting which finding?
Severe pitting, very swollen leg and indentation that lasts for a long time, 8 mm deep
Slight indentation, with no perceptible swelling of the leg. 2 mm deep
Moderate pitting, with indentation that subsides rapidly, 4 mm deep
Deep pitting, swollen leg, and indentation that remains for a short time, 6 mm deep
The Correct Answer is A
A. +4 pitting edema is characterized by severe pitting that creates a deep indentation (greater than 8 mm) that remains for a prolonged period. This description matches the findings in option
B. This describes +1 pitting edema, which is not consistent with +4 edema.
C. This option describes +2 or +3 pitting edema, as the indentation subsides rapidly, which does not align with +4.
D. Although this describes deep pitting, the depth is less than 8 mm, which is not consistent with +4 edema.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. The tympanic temperature of 37.1° C (98.8° F) is within normal limits and does not require re-measurement.
B. The respiratory rate of 14/min is also within the normal range (12-20 breaths per minute).
C. The blood pressure of 98/77 mm Hg is not alarmingly low and does not require immediate re-measurement.
D. A pulse rate of 42/min indicates bradycardia (normal resting heart rate is typically between
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. The patient's chart may provide historical information but does not reflect the current pain intensity the client is experiencing.
B. Visual observation for nonverbal signs of pain can be useful, especially for nonverbal patients, but self-reporting is the most accurate measure of pain intensity.
C. The client's self-report of pain severity is the gold standard for assessing pain intensity, as it reflects the individual’s personal experience of pain.
D. While the nature and invasiveness of the surgical procedure can provide context for expected pain levels, they do not replace the importance of the client's self-report in managing pain effectively.