MEDizzy - A 69-year-old woman has been bedridden while recuperating

Feed Library Learning Discuss Leaderboard Journal

Blood Vessels

A 69-year-old woman has been bedridden while recuperating from a bout of viral pneumonia complicated by bacterial pneumonia for the past 2 weeks. Physical examination now shows some swelling and tenderness of the right leg, which worsens when she raises or moves the leg. Which of the following terms best describes the condition involving her right leg?

ExplanationPhlebothrombosis (most often called thrombophlebitis) is a common problem that results from venous stasis with prolonged immobilization. Phlebothrombosis may be a better (but less often used) term because there is little or no inflammation, but the former term is well established. Disseminated intravascular coagulation more often results in hemorrhage, and edema is not the most prominent manifestation. Lymphedema takes longer than 2 weeks to develop and is not caused by bed rest alone. Thromboangiitis obliterans is a rare form of arteritis that results in pain and ulceration of extremities.