Final answer:
Elevate venous ulcers to reduce pressure and improve blood flow, while arterial ulcers should not be elevated as it can worsen blood flow to the affected area.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question of whether you should elevate arterial or venous ulcers is B. Venous ulcers should be elevated to improve the drainage of blood and reduce the pressure in the veins. This is because venous ulcers are often associated with venous insufficiency and pooling of blood due to faulty valves in the veins, which results in increased venous pressure and edema. By elevating the legs, the gravitational effect is reduced, which helps in minimizing edema and promoting venous return, thus improving the healing environment for a venous ulcer.
In contrast, for arterial ulcers, elevation can worsen the condition because these ulcers are caused by poor arterial blood flow to the limbs. Elevation could potentially decrease arterial flow even further, which is counterproductive for healing. Arterial ulcers require different management strategies aimed at improving arterial flow to the affected area.