Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when your leg veins don’t allow blood to flow back up to your heart. Normally, the valves in your veins make sure that blood flows toward your heart. But when these valves don’t work well, blood can also flow backwards. This can cause blood to collect
(pool) in your legs. If this condition is not treated, you may have: Pain Swelling Cramps Skin changes Varicose veins Leg ulcers Chronic venous insufficiency is not a serious health threat. But it can be painful and disabling. What causes chronic venous insufficiency?You are more likely to have this condition if you:
Other causes of chronic venous insufficiency include:
What are the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency?Symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency may include:
The symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency may seem like other health conditions. Talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. How is chronic venous insufficiency diagnosed?Your provider will take your medical history and give you an exam. You may also have an imaging test called a Duplex ultrasound. This looks at blood flow and the structure of your leg veins. It checks the speed and direction of blood flow in the blood vessel. What is the treatment for chronic venous insufficiency?Your healthcare provider will create a treatment plan for you based on:
Treatment may include:
Stay on Top of Your Heart HealthIf you have a new or existing heart problem, it's vital to see a doctor. Our heart health checklist can help you determine when to seek care. Which of the following signs and symptoms would the nurse expect in a patient with chronic venous insufficiency?Typical symptoms of venous insufficiency include aching, pain, tightness, skin irritation, pruritus, heaviness, tingling, muscle cramps, and cosmetically unsatisfying varicose veins.
Which information should the nurse obtain when performing an initial assessment of a client who presents to the emergency department?4.1 Initial ED Evaluation
Assessment in the acute phase should include heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, temperature, oxygen saturation, hydration status, and presence of seizure activity [Evidence Level B]. Acute blood work should be conducted as part of the initial evaluation [Evidence Level B].
Which description of symptoms is characteristic of a client diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia?The most significant symptom of trigeminal neuralgia is recurring episodes of intense, short-lived spasms of pain of the lower portion of the face and the jaw. The nose is not infrequently affected. Much less often, the eyes and forehead are affected. In most cases, pain is limited to one side of the face (unilateral).
What can be tested by placing a quarter or key in the client's hand?Cortical sensory function is evaluated by asking the patient to identify a familiar object (eg, coin, key) placed in the palm of the hand (stereognosis) and numbers written on the palm (graphesthesia) and to distinguish between 1 and 2 simultaneous, closely placed pinpricks on the fingertips (2-point discrimination).
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