Question

•Ms. Robnison is a 65-year-old woman who spends most of her day sitting on her porch and recovering from a recent surgery involving the removal of suspected cancerous lymph glands in the inguinal area. She is now complaining that her shoes are fitting too tightly, and she has developed poorly healing sores on her legs and ankles. A closer examination also shows distention in her varicose veins. Blood tests reveal a low level of proteins in the plasma.

1.Based on the patient history and the signs and symptoms, identify the fluid imbalance the patient is experiencing, and state the rationale for your answer.

2.Discuss the four general causes of edema and how they apply in the case of this patient.

3.Discuss the swelling, sores, varicose vein distention, and other effects that edema can have on a patient.

Answer 1

1, Patient having the history of shoe tightness, slow healing sores on her legs and ankles. There is distension in her varicose veins and low protein in the plasma.
When there is an imbalance of lymph production, lymph transport to the systemic circulation. fluid moves from ultrafiltration out of the interstitium and to the lymphatic system and lasts to the systemic circulation. Edema develops when the filtration rate more than the lymphatic system to manage fluid balance. This extremity lymphedema occurs after prior cancer-related surgeries.
2, Four causes of edema for this patient due to
-Recent surgery involving the removal of suspected cancerous lymph glands in the inguinal area.
- Poor healing sores on her legs and ankles
- Older age
- Lack of protein albumin in the blood, fluid can leak from blood vessels more easily.
3, swelling due to fluid leak out of blood vessels. Venous insufficiency can cause edema in the feet and ankle.
Low protein in the blood can cause edema due to fluid leak out of blood vessels cause edema.
Varicose vein develops after cancer surgery due to venous stains and venous obstruction.
Sores or cellulitis occur due to bacterial infection of the deeper layer of skin make sores poor healing on her legs and ankles.