When Performing an Assessment of a 65-Year-Old Man with a History

Multiple Choice

When performing an assessment of a 65-year-old man with a history of hypertension and coronary artery disease, the nurse notices bilateral pitting edema in the lower legs. The skin is puffy and tight but of normal colour. There is no increased redness or tenderness, and the peripheral pulses are equal and strong. In this situation, which of the following is the most likely cause of the edema?

A) Heart failure
B) Venous thrombosis
C) A local inflammation
D) Blockage of lymphatic drainage