Signs and symptoms of a lower urinary tract infection may include which of the following? (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY)

A. Varicose veins is incorrect because varicose veins typically cause bilateral or localized superficial venous distention, aching, and heaviness, rather than the acute unilateral swelling, warmth, and redness seen with DVT.

B. Peripheral artery disease is incorrect because PAD usually causes pale, cool, or cyanotic extremities, weak pulses, and pain with exertion (intermittent claudication), rather than unilateral redness, warmth, and swelling.

C. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is correct because DVT involves formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, often in the leg. Classic signs include unilateral swelling, redness, warmth, pain, and tenderness, usually in the calf or thigh. DVT is a medical emergency because the clot can dislodge and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE). Risk factors include immobility, surgery, pregnancy, obesity, and hypercoagulable states.

D. Intermittent claudication is incorrect because claudication refers to exercise-induced muscle pain caused by arterial insufficiency, not venous clot formation. It does not typically cause unilateral swelling or redness.

A. Slightly elevated lesion with a flat surface is incorrect because this describes either a macule (flat, non-palpable) or a papule (slightly raised). These lesions are superficial changes in skin appearance or texture but do not involve a break or split in the epidermis. Fissures, in contrast, are actual linear breaks in the skin.

B. Thin-walled, fluid-filled lesion is incorrect because this describes a vesicle or blister. Vesicles are elevated lesions filled with serous fluid, often seen in conditions like herpes simplex or chickenpox. Fissures do not contain fluid and are instead cracks or splits that can expose underlying layers of the skin.

C. Small and firm lesion of the skin is incorrect because this describes a papule, which is a solid, raised lesion that may be seen in acne, dermatitis, or other dermatologic conditions. Papules are not breaks in the skin and do not resemble the linear crack characteristic of a fissure.

D. Linear crack in skin tissue is correct because a fissure is a narrow, deep tear or split in the epidermis that may extend into the dermis. Fissures often occur in areas of dry, thickened, or stretched skin, such as the heels, fingertips, or corners of the mouth (angular cheilitis). They are typically painful, especially when the affected area is stretched or subjected to pressure. Unlike ulcers, which are broader and often associated with tissue loss, or erosions, which are shallow, fissures are distinct for their linear shape and sharp edges. They can serve as entry points for infection if not properly managed and often require moisturizing, protective dressings, or treatment of underlying causes like fungal infection or chronic dryness.