Practice Question
In which disease process should a nurse expect to see a patient with the presence of pitting edema?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
End-stage renal disease
Rationale:
📌Pitting edema is a classic clinical manifestation of fluid volume excess, which occurs when the body retains more fluid than it excretes.
📌 In end-stage renal disease (ESRD), the kidneys lose their ability to effectively filter blood and remove excess water, sodium, and metabolic waste.
📌This impaired filtration leads to accumulation of fluid in the interstitial spaces, especially in dependent areas such as the lower extremities.
📌Bilateral pitting edema in a client with ESRD is a result of sodium and water retention, hypoalbuminemia, and decreased renal excretion.
📌It is also a marker of worsening renal function, which may require adjustments in dialysis, fluid restriction, or medication management (e.g., diuretics, if residual function exists).
📌Monitoring for pitting edema in clients with ESRD is critical because it reflects not only volume overload but also increases the risk of hypertension, pulmonary edema, and heart failure.
📌Early detection allows the nurse to intervene by notifying the provider, restricting fluids, or evaluating dialysis efficacy.
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This question is from RN Fundamentals Assessment Midterm Exam which contains 53 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI Fundamentals of Nursing
- Answer Choices: 4