Final answer:
Nurses assess for swelling in the extremities and potentially decreased blood pressure due to fluid accumulation, which leads to edema, a type of fluid retention in the tissues.
Step-by-step explanation:
When assessing a patient for the effects of fluid accumulation on peripheral circulation, nurses are particularly vigilant for signs of edema, which is fluid accumulation in the tissues, leading to swelling. The physiological causes of edema include water leakage from blood capillaries due to the increased pressure from fluid overload. This often leads to noticeable swelling in the extremities, such as the legs and arms. The displacement of fluid into the interstitial spaces can result in a decrease in circulating fluid volume, potentially leading to decreased blood pressure. Therefore, in response to the question, the nurses assess for both swelling in the extremities and potentially decreased blood pressure as indicators of impaired peripheral circulation due to edema.