Final answer:
The signs and symptoms of the obese patient may be related to impaired venous return in her lower extremities. The skeletal muscle pump plays a crucial role in venous return by contracting skeletal muscles surrounding veins to push blood upwards against gravity. In this patient's case, a lack of muscle contractions due to a sedentary lifestyle and excess weight may contribute to reduced venous return, leading to symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The signs and symptoms described by the obese patient are likely related to impaired venous return in her lower extremities. The skeletal muscle pump, which consists of the contraction of skeletal muscles surrounding veins, plays a crucial role in venous return. When muscle contractions occur during walking or standing, they squeeze the veins, pushing blood upwards against gravity and preventing blood from pooling in the lower limbs. In this patient's case, her sedentary lifestyle and excess weight may contribute to a lack of muscle contractions, leading to reduced venous return, swelling, fatigue, and other symptoms.