How do you assess for peripheral edema?

• A. Inspect dependent areas, palpate for edema, compare bilaterally, document depth and duration
• B. Inspect dependent areas, press with finger to check for pitting, compare bilaterally, document depth and duration
• C. Use Doppler to assess edema
• D. Rely on patient self-report only

Answer: (B)

Assessing peripheral edema hinges on a careful, hands-on examination that yields objective information you can track over time. Start by inspecting dependent areas—feet and ankles—when the patient is seated or standing, looking for swelling that gravity tends to pull into the lower extremities. Then palpate with a finger, pressing firmly to see if an indentation remains; this is the presence of pitting edema. Compare the legs bilaterally to evaluate symmetry, which helps distinguish generalized versus localized fluid buildup. Finally, document how deep the indentation is and how long it lasts after you remove the finger, because depth and duration grade the edema and reflect severity and progression. This approach is preferred because it provides a concrete, repeatable assessment of edema rather than relying on subjective reports or methods meant for other problems. Doppler helps assess blood flow, not edema, and patient self-report alone isn’t sufficient for an objective measurement.