When assessing a client's lower extremities, which finding requires immediate intervention by the nurse?

A. Vital sign abnormalities can provide critical information about the client's overall condition and help determine if there is an acute or chronic issue that needs to be addressed. While important, this assessment might not provide specific details about the cause of the productive cough.
B. Peripheral edema is often related to cardiovascular or renal issues and might not be directly related to the cause of a productive cough. While edema can provide information about fluid balance and possible heart failure, it does not directly address the specific characteristics or causes of a cough.
C. A white blood cell count can help determine if there is an underlying infection or inflammatory process. Elevated WBC levels might indicate an infection, which could be a cause of the productive cough. This test is useful for diagnosing conditions like pneumonia or bronchitis but is not as immediately relevant as assessing the sputum characteristics in understanding the nature of the cough.
D. The characteristics of sputum (color, consistency, presence of blood, etc.) can provide valuable information about the cause of the productive cough. For instance, yellow or green sputum might suggest a bacterial infection, while clear sputum could be associated with viral infections or allergies.

A. Varicosities, or varicose veins, are dilated veins that appear on the skin and are often associated with venous insufficiency. While they can be symptomatic and require management, they typically do not constitute an immediate medical emergency. Varicosities are generally managed with lifestyle changes, compression therapy, or medical procedures, but they are not usually life-threatening.
B. Lack of hair growth on the lower legs can indicate poor circulation, commonly seen in conditions like peripheral arterial disease (PAD). While it is a concerning finding and suggests potential arterial insufficiency, it is not usually an immediate emergency.
C. A Stage 2 pressure injury is characterized by partial-thickness loss of dermis, presenting as a shallow, open ulcer with a pink wound bed. While it requires attention to prevent progression and manage the wound, it is not an immediate emergency compared to other findings that suggest acute complications.

D. Right calf swelling and tenderness are critical findings that could indicate a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a serious condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg. DVT can lead to life-threatening complications such as pulmonary embolism if the clot dislodges and travels to the lungs.