The nurse observes bilateral 3+ pitting edema on a client diagnosed with severe malnutrition. Which explanation is the best explanation for the edema?

Choice A reason: Increased serum hydrostatic pressure is not the best explanation for the edema because it is caused by fluid overload, not malnutrition. Fluid overload can result from heart failure, kidney failure, or excessive fluid intake.

Choice B reason: Increased kidney filtration pressure is not the best explanation for the edema because it is caused by increased blood flow to the kidneys, not malnutrition. Increased blood flow to the kidneys can result from hypertension, diabetes, or renal artery stenosis.

Choice C reason: Decreased capillary osmotic pressure is the best explanation for the edema because it is caused by low plasma protein levels, which are common in malnutrition. Low plasma protein levels reduce the force that pulls fluid back into the capillaries from the interstitial space, leading to fluid accumulation in the tissues.

Choice D reason: Intracellular dehydration is not the best explanation for the edema because it is caused by loss of water from the cells, not malnutrition. Loss of water from the cells can result from hypernatremia, hyperglycemia, or osmotic diuresis.

Choice A reason: Blood clots in the peripheral blood vessels are not a cause of anemia, but a complication of it. They may occur due to increased blood viscosity, reduced blood flow, or hypercoagulability. They may cause tissue ischemia, pain, and necrosis.

Choice B reason: Decrease in bone marrow platelet production is not a cause of anemia, but a result of it. It may occur due to bone marrow suppression, infiltration, or destruction. It may cause bleeding, bruising, and petechiae.

Choice C reason: Increase in the number of circulating reticulocytes is not a cause of anemia, but a sign of it. Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells that are released from the bone marrow to compensate for the loss of mature red blood cells. They indicate a regenerative response to anemia.

Choice D reason: Redistribution of blood to the heart and brain is a compensatory mechanism for anemia. It occurs to maintain adequate oxygen delivery to the vital organs. It causes vasoconstriction and shunting of blood away from the skin and mucous membranes, resulting in pallor.