Question

A client was referred to an outpatient therapy center after her hand began to swell. The occupational therapist noticed a significant difference in the size between the client's right and left hands. Which of the following is TRUE of hand volume assessment for clients with edema of the hand?

1) Hand volume should be measured at the same time of the day since edema varies with rest and activity
2) The volumeter is used to measure edema of an individual finger of the hand
3) Measurements should be made before and after the intervention to measure the effects of therapy
4) The therapist measures the water remaining in the volumeter after the hand is immersed to measure hand volume

Answer 1

The true statement about hand volume assessment for clients with edema of the hand is that measurements should be made before and after the intervention to measure the effects of therapy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The true statement about hand volume assessment for clients with edema of the hand is that measurements should be made before and after the intervention to measure the effects of therapy.

Hand volume should be measured at the same time of the day since edema varies with rest and activity is not true because the size of edema can change throughout the day. The volumeter is not used to measure edema of an individual finger of the hand, but rather the entire hand or limb. The therapist does not measure the water remaining in the volumeter after the hand is immersed to measure hand volume, but rather the volumeter is filled with water and the hand is immersed to measure the volume displaced by the hand.