Final answer:
For a pregnant patient with edema, the best nursing interventions include getting adequate rest, elevating legs, and possibly using compression stockings to assist with blood return and decrease swelling. The skeletal muscle pump is essential for this process, as it helps to prevent the pooling of blood that can lead to edema.
Step-by-step explanation:
While caring for a pregnant patient with edema in the feet and ankles, the most beneficial nursing interventions would include suggesting the patient get adequate rest and elevate the legs while sitting. The skeletal muscle pump plays a crucial role in the circulation of blood in the lower limbs. Prolonged standing, as in the case of a cashier, may lead to the pooling of venous blood in the legs due to insufficient contraction of the skeletal muscles, which are necessary to push blood back towards the heart. This pooling can result in the leakage of fluid into the surrounding tissues, causing edema. Elevated legs assist in venous return and can help reduce swelling, while rest can help prevent excessive fluid accumulation in the lower extremities.
Additionally, wearing compression stockings can provide increased pressure to help move blood up to the heart, thus reducing the risk of edema. Actions such as decreasing salt intake to reduce water retention, and engaging in exercises that promote blood and lymph flow, can also be therapeutic. It's important to note that edema can be a sign of various medical conditions; hence, it's critical to identify and treat the underlying cause to effectively manage the symptom.