In assessing a venous ulcer, which findings does the nurse anticipate being consistent with this type of wound? (Select all that apply)
Edema
Pale wound bed
Itchy dry scaly skin
Large amount of drainage
Wound edges surrounded by calloused tissue
Hyperpigmentation of the skin surrounding the ulcerated area
Correct Answer : A,C,D,F
A. Edema: Venous insufficiency leads to poor return of blood from the lower extremities, causing fluid accumulation in the interstitial tissues. This manifests as leg swelling (edema), which is a hallmark of venous disease.
B. Pale wound bed: A pale wound bed is more characteristic of arterial ulcers, which result from poor oxygenation and perfusion. Venous ulcers usually have a ruddy, beefy red wound bed due to adequate arterial inflow but impaired venous return.
C. Itchy dry scaly skin: Chronic venous stasis causes skin changes such as stasis dermatitis. Patients often report itching, dryness, and scaling due to impaired circulation and inflammatory changes in the skin.
D. Large amount of drainage: Venous ulcers typically produce copious exudate because of high hydrostatic pressure in the veins, which forces fluid out into the wound bed. This is one of the distinguishing features compared to arterial ulcers, which are usually dry.
E. Wound edges surrounded by calloused tissue: Calloused wound edges are more typical of neuropathic/diabetic ulcers, especially on pressure points of the foot. Venous ulcers usually have irregular, shallow edges without callus formation.
F. Hyperpigmentation of the skin surrounding the ulcerated area: Long-standing venous hypertension causes red blood cells to leak into surrounding tissues. Breakdown of hemoglobin deposits hemosiderin, leading to brownish discoloration (hyperpigmentation) around the ulcer site.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The slough or eschar that covers the wound hides a stage 3 or 4 pressure injury: Clinical staging requires full visualization of the wound base to determine the depth of tissue involvement. Necrotic tissue like slough or eschar physically obstructs the view of the underlying anatomy. Until this debris is debrided, the true extent remains unknown.
B. The wound presents with various areas that are between stages of the healing process: Pressure injury staging is based on the maximum depth of anatomical damage observed at its worst point. Healing wounds are not "back-staged" but rather described by their current characteristics. Mixed presentation does not render a wound unstageable under standard protocols.
C. The pressure injury is so early in the tissue destruction process that staging cannot be determined: Early tissue destruction is actually easily staged as a Stage 1 injury if erythema is present. Unstageable refers to the inability to see the bottom of the wound, not a lack of progression. Even early injuries are classified by their clinical presentation.
D. There is persistent non-blanchable purple discoloration that makes it difficult to determine the correct stage: This specific description defines a deep tissue pressure injury (DTPI) rather than an unstageable one. DTPI involves intact skin with deep discoloration reflecting internal damage. Unstageable specifically requires the presence of obscuring material like slough or eschar.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Muscle atrophy: Prolonged immobilization leads to disuse atrophy of the skeletal muscles as they are not subjected to normal tension and workload. After 6 weeks in a cast, a noticeable decrease in the circumference of the calf and thigh muscles is a standard clinical finding.
B. Slow capillary refill: Capillary refill is a measure of peripheral perfusion and should return to normal once the restrictive cast is removed. Unless there is underlying vascular disease, the immobilization itself does not permanently impair the microcirculation of the toes or skin.
C. Inversion contracture: While joint stiffness is common after casting, a specific inversion contracture is not a standard expected finding of simple immobilization. Range of motion is typically restricted in all planes initially, but permanent pathological contractures are avoided through proper positioning and subsequent physical therapy.
D. Diminished pedal pulse: The presence of a cast does not typically cause a permanent decrease in arterial pulse strength once removed. Pulses should be palpable and strong unless a vascular complication occurred during the casting period. Immobilization affects muscle mass rather than arterial lumen integrity.
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