Final answer:
The skeletal muscle pump plays a role in the signs and symptoms of the obese patient. Lack of physical activity and excess weight can impair the pumping action of the muscles, leading to fluid accumulation, fatigue, shortness of breath, and a feeling of being "spaced out."
Step-by-step explanation:
The skeletal muscle pump refers to the mechanism by which muscles help return blood from the extremities back to the heart. It plays a crucial role in maintaining efficient blood circulation. In the case of the obese patient, her lack of physical activity and excess weight can contribute to poor muscle strength, making it difficult for her muscles to effectively pump blood against gravity.
This reduced pumping action can result in fluid accumulation in her lower extremities, leading to swollen feet and ankles. Furthermore, the inadequate blood flow may deprive her vital organs, such as the brain, from receiving sufficient oxygen, potentially causing the feeling of being "spaced out." The fatigue and shortness of breath she experiences are also a result of the heart working harder to compensate for the impaired skeletal muscle pump.