Question

Following the morning assessment of an older adult patient, the nurse has documented, 'Edema 3+ present to ankles and feet; dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulses palpable bilaterally.' The nurse should recognize that this patient may be exhibiting symptoms as ________.

1) Hypertension
2) Diabetes
3) Heart failure
4) Peripheral artery disease

Answer 1

The patient with 3+ edema and palpable pulses in the ankles and feet may be exhibiting symptoms of heart failure, as these indicate significant fluid accumulation in the lower extremities commonly associated with this condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the nurse notes that a patient has 3+ edema present to ankles and feet with palpable dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulses, it suggests that the patient may have compromised fluid balance, particularly in the lower extremities. Considering the clinical context provided, including the finding of 3+ edema, which is a significant amount of swelling, and the presence of palpable pulses, which indicates that blood flow is not completely obstructed, the patient may be exhibiting symptoms consistent with heart failure. Conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and peripheral artery disease (PAD) may also cause edema, but heart failure is particularly characterized by swelling due to poor heart function leading to fluid accumulation, especially in the lower limbs. In PAD, the blood pressure at the ankle is typically lower than that at the upper arm, contrary to the information given about the palpability of the patient's pulses.