The nurse is performing an initial assessment of a patient with heart failure. Two minutes after checking the patient’s pedal pulses, the nurse notes that fingertip indentions that are 5 mm deep are left on the patient’s feet. How does the nurse document this finding?

3+ pitting edema. The patient is exhibiting 3+ pitting edema as evidenced by 5-millimeter-deep indentations that are present 2 minutes after pressure is removed. 1+ edema only slightly pits and disappears quickly. 2+ edema is used to describe pitting edema with 2-4 mm pits that disappear within seconds. 4+ edema is used to describe 6-8 mm indentations that may last up to 5 minutes.

The nurse is performing an initial assessment of a patient with h...

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Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
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Category: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Difficulty: 4

Topics: Cardiovascular Communication & Documentation

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