Final answer:
The nurse should use the teaching principle of building on existing knowledge to explain why the patient's feet have been swelling. Swelling can occur from standing for prolonged periods due to blood pooling in the legs, and anti-embolitic stockings aid in preventing this by applying pressure and improving blood circulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the client asks, "Why have my feet been swelling?" the nurse should apply the teaching principle of building on existing knowledge. This principle allows the nurse to use what the client already knows or has experienced to make new information more relatable and understandable. In this situation, the nurse can explain that standing for a long time can lead to blood pooling in the legs, which causes swelling. This is due to the pull of gravity, which prevents blood from ascending efficiently back to the heart, hence the need for anti-embolitic stockings.
These stockings apply pressure to the legs, which aids in the proper circulation of blood back to the heart, preventing accumulation and subsequent swelling. This explanation also ties in with how elastic bandages and compression stockings are recommended for situations like long-haul flights, where movement is limited and can lead to similar circulation issues.
Furthermore, the nurse can mention the importance of the skeletal muscle pump in aiding venous return, especially in people who have jobs requiring long periods of standing, or those with decreased mobility that can lead to conditions like edema and varicose veins. It is crucial to manage these risks as they could lead to more severe complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).