A female client being examined by the nurse exhibits 2+ pitting edema in the right arm, while the left arm is normal in size. Which question by the nurse is the most appropriate based on this data?
1. "How much salt do you have in your diet?"
2. "Does the other arm swell also?"
3. "What surgical procedures have you had?"
4. "Do you ever feel self-conscious about your arm?"
Correct Answer: 3
This client most likely has lymphedema. Damage to or removal of lymph nodes can impact the ability of the lymph system to drain the arm adequately, so information about previous surgical procedures is the priority question. This information will help the nurse determine if the client has lymphedema due to a surgical procedure. If salt intake was excessive, the nurse would also find swelling in other extremities. Unilateral swelling indicates that there may be a problem with lymph drainage from the extremity. The client's feelings of being self-conscious are important for the nurse to consider, but are not the most important at this time. The nurse should seek to determine how the lymphedema developed.
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