2. Introduction
EDEMA is a normal response of body to inflammation or injury
(For example; a twisted angle, a bee sting or a skin infection this
may result in edema in the involved area)
In some cases such as infection this may be bacterial. Increased
fluid from the blood vessels allows more infection-fighting with
blood cells to enter the affected area
3. DEFINITION
Edema is defined as "the accumulation of excessive
body fluids in the interstitial space or serous body
cavity, which is a pathogenic process caused by
disease rather than a disease entry "
4. ETIOLOGY
INCREASED CAPILLARY HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE
• Elevated plasma volume
• increased venous pressure (Eg:- congestive heart failure, Venous thrombosis)
• Arteriolar dilation (Eg:- acute inflammatio)
REDUCED PLASMA ONCOTIC PRESSURE
Plasma albumin content decreased due to;
• Decreased Protein production (Eg:-hepatic cirrhosis, malnutrition)
• Excess loss of protein (Eg :- Nephrosis)
• Elevated Catabolism of protein (Eg:-Chronic debilitating disease such as malignant
tumors)
5. Inflammation
Capillary endothelium injured from;
• Toxins
• Histamine
• Anoxia
• Drugs
Lymphatic Obstruction
• Blockage by cancer
• Blockage by infection (especially with filariasis)
• Pressure on main lymphatic duct
• Inflammation of lymphatics
Sodium & Water Retention
7. CLASSIFICATION
Depending upon site of edema;
Generalized Edema:-
• It is a condition in which notice that swelling, puffiness and water retention
in various body parts including abdomen arms legs face & feel
• Symptoms:- Bloating, tightening of skin & skin that hold an imprint or
looks pitted
• Conditions:- congestive heart failure, Nephrotic syndrome, Cirrhosis of
liver, Systematic infection
Localised Edema:-
• It is a type of edema confined to a particular part or organ of the body
• Conditions:- Trauma, Infection, Lymphatic and venous obstruction
8. Edema can also classified as:
Putting Edema/Cutaneous edema
• It is a condition in which after a pressure applied on a small area of edema the
indentation persist after release of pressure
• Causes:- water retention, systematic disease, pregnancy, heart failure, vericose
vein, Thrombophlebitis, insect bite & Dermatitis can also cause the pitting
edema
Non Pitting Edema
• In this condition the indentation doesn't persist
• It is associated with conditions such as lymphedema, lipidemia & myxedema
9. Other Major Types of Edema
Peripheral Edema
• It mainly occurs in the legs, feets, ankles
• This is the most common type of edema it cause swelling in lower extremities
• It may caused by increasing age, hypertension, pregnancy, Congestive Heart
Failure, Kidney problems and other health conditions
• It may also experiance when standing/sitting for extended hours
• Some medications like NSAID's (Ibuprofen, Naproxen), Corticosteroids
(Prednisone, Methyl Prednisolone)can also cure
10. Pulmonary Edema
• It is the fluid accumulation in the lungs due to the blockage of pulmonary veins.
As blood pressure rises inthe blood vessels of the lungs fluid rush into fill the
lungs
• The pleural cavity can also be filled with fluid in such cases pulmonary edema is
said to also present with pleural Effusion
• It can be caused by malfunction of left ventricle, acute respiratory distress
syndrome & also hypersensitivity reaction
Cerebral Edema
• It is the accumulation of fluid in the intracellular and extracellular spaces of brain
• It can be cause by metabolic abnormalities due to an underlying diseases Or as a
response to O2 deprivation at high altitude
• It is very serious condition & can also leads to unconsciousness and brain
damage
• It is devided into 3 sub types; Vasogenic, Cytogenic & Interstitial ceribral edema
11. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
INCREASED CAPILLARY HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE
Due to the Cause
Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure at the venular end of capillaries to a level more
than plasma Oncotic Pressure
Minimal Or No absorption of fluid at the venular end
Edema
12. Reduced plasma oncotic pressure
Due to the cause
Fall in plasma oncotic pressure
decreased net movement of fluid into interstitial tissues
Edema
13. INFLAMMATION
Due to the cause
Capillary endothelium get injured
Endothelial gap
Increased Capillary permeability to plasma proteins
decreased plasma oncotic Pressure
Edema
15. SODIUM AND WATER RETENTION
Hypovolemia
Renal Vasoconstriction Renin Increased ADH level
Decreased GFR Aldosteron Reabsorption of water
Renal retention of sodium and water
Edema
16. INCREASED CAPILLARY PERMEABILITY
Due to the cause
Decreased capillary permeability
filtration of more protein from capillary to interstitium
Decreased plasma colloid osmotic pressure
Increased formation of Interstitial fluid
Edema
17. Signs & Symptoms
Increase in the total body water cause weight gain in short period of time
Peripheral Edema
Excess Fluid in the Interstitial space
Distended Neck and peripheral Veins
Slow emptying peripheral Veins
CVP over 11cm
Crackles and wheezes in lungs
Poly urea (if renal function is normal)
Ascites
Pleural Effusion
Decreased Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Due to plasma dilution
Bounding Pulse
Pulmonary Edema (if severe)
18. DIAGNOSIS
Health History
Diagnostic tests like ;
• monitor serum osmolarity
• Hemoglobin & Hematocrit
• Urine specific gravity and Osmolality
• CVP Reading
In Physical Examination
• Daily weight
• Lung sounds
• Extremity measurement
• Abdominal Measurement
• grading of edema
19. Grading of Edema
Measurement
of Depression
(In mm)
1. 0mm
2. 2mm
3. 4mm
4. 6mm
5. 8mm
Gradi
ng
1. 0+
2. 1+
3. 2+
4. 3+
5. 4+
Discription
1. Non Pitting Edema
2. Mild Pitting Edema
3. Moderate pitting edema(Depression dis
appear in 10-15 s)
4. moderately severe Pitting
edema(Dipression may last for >1min)
5. Severe Pitting edema (Dipression may
last >2min
20. COMPLICATIONS
Untreated edema can leads to ;
Painful Swelling, Pain that gets worse
Stiffness and difficulties in walking
Stretched & itchy skin
Infection in the area of swelling
Scarring Between layers of tissue
Poor blood circulation
Loss of elasticity in Artery, Veins & Joints
Ulceration on skin
21. MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
Treat the underlying Cause
Treat the sign and symptoms
Restrict salt intake
Provide Oxygen in pulmonary edema
23. NURSING MANAGEMENT
Assess the presence of worsening edema
Encourage adherence to Sodium Restriction to avoid over counter drugs
When indicated encourage rest periods
monitor patients Response to Diuretics, Check the daily weight
Monitor rate of parental fluids & Client response
Teach the self monitoring of weight & I/O measurement (in cases such as
CCF, Renal failure, Cirrhosis of liver)
Turn the position of patient frequently
Help the patient to Relax & promote oxygenation
24. Place the patient in high Fowler's position to enhance lungs
expansion
Administer O2 As prescribed
Assess patients condition frequently
Auscultate Lung field for breath sounds & be alert for crackles
Watch for complications of treatment such as electrolyte
depletion
Monitor ABG results to identify Hypoxemia & hypercapnia