Edema Management and Compression Flashcards
Define Venous Edema
Excess protein poor interstitial fluid resulting from increased capillary permeability that cannot be accommodated by the normal lymphatic system
This is also known as tissue swelling, It is formed by the accumulation of inter-cellular fluid present in the tissues as a result of filtration of fluid from within the vascular system into the surrounding intersitial space
Edema
Your patient has heart failure. What could be a secondary complication?
Venous Edema
Other conditions: Chronic venous insufficiency, hepatic cirrhosis, nephritic syndrome, inflammatory wound healing response
Define Lymphedema
- Low output failure of the lymphatic system
- May be congenital or due to anatomical disruption such as surgical dissection or recurrent infection
Can your dx of your patient be edema?
No, it is a symptom of something else. Excess fluid in the tissues is a sx of an underlying condition
Name 5 of the 9 bilateral causes of edema
- ) Cardiac Disease
- ) Renal Disease
- ) Hepatic Disease
- ) GI Disease
- ) Immune disease and allergy
- ) Nutritional Disease
- ) Pregnancy
- ) Circulatory Problems (Vena Cava obstruction)
- ) Drugs and Medications
Name 3 of the 5 unilateral causes of edema
- ) Venous Disease
- ) Arterial Disease (AV fistula)
- ) Lymphatic Disease
- ) Operations
- ) Trauma
Your patient comes in with what looks like bilateral swollen legs. You are able to pinch the skin on the top of the foot. What is your hypothesis?
Lipedema: Abnormal accumulation of adipose tissue in the LE, can be mistaken for lymphedema, dorsum of the feet are spared
During the subjective interview and your screen what are some things you should be asking/looking for in a patient with edema?
- Adequate hx providing info regarding medical conditions that could cause edema
- Occupation
- Duration of edema
- BMI
- Edema Distribution
- Pitting
- Varicosities
- Skin Changes
- Color (Red may not mean infection)
- Measurement of the limb
What are some ways to treat edema?
- Leg elevation (should be at least around waist level)
- Exercise: Calf muscle pump
- Compression Therapy
What should you do before putting on bandages?
Evaluation of arterial circulation = Pulse exam (femoral, popliteal, dorsalis pedis, posterior tib)
-Also do doppler assessment (ABI)
What amount of compression is ideal for treatment of edema and venous stasis ulcers?
35-45 mmHg
Your patient is able to walk around in their bandage…what type of compression bandage would you use?
Inelastic (short stretch) bandage b/c pressure increases when the patient moves. This bandage doesn’t apply compression, doesn’t expand when the muscle contracts and is able to conform to the extremity. At rest pressure is 28 mmHg ( medium compression)
What type of compression is >60 mm Hg
Very strong Compression
What type of compression is 20-<40 mmHg
Medium Compresion