During a visit to the clinic, a woman in her seventh month of ...

[audie]

During a visit to the clinic, 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 apparent in her lower legs
 
  a. Deep-vein thrombophlebitis
  b. Varicose veins
  c. Lymphedema
  d. Raynaud phenomenon

Question 2

How should the nurse document mild, slight pitting edema the ankles of a pregnant patient?
 
  a. 1+/0-4+
  b. 3+/0-4+
  c. 4+/0-4+
  d. Brawny edema

[lindahyatt42]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Superficial varicose veins are caused by incompetent distant valves in the veins, which results in the reflux of blood, producing dilated, tortuous veins. Varicose veins 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 observed on assessment.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
If pitting edema is present, then the nurse should grade it on a scale of 1+ (mild) to 4+ (severe). Brawny edema appears as nonpitting edema and feels hard to the touch.