A nurse is caring for a client who has uncontrolled type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Choice A reason:
Venous insufficiency can contribute to the development of chronic wounds, particularly in the lower extremities. It is characterized by the inability of the veins to adequately return blood from the legs back to the heart, which can lead to pooling of blood and increased pressure in the veins. This can cause skin changes and ulcers, particularly around the ankles.

Choice B reason:
Malnutrition is indeed a systemic cause of chronic wounds. Adequate nutrition is essential for wound healing, as it provides the necessary proteins, vitamins, and minerals that play a crucial role in the repair process. Protein-energy malnutrition, deficiencies in vitamins C and D, zinc, and other nutrients can impair wound healing and lead to chronic wounds.

Choice C reason:
Infection is typically a local rather than a systemic cause of chronic wounds. While systemic infections can affect wound healing, local wound infections are more directly responsible for delayed healing and the chronicity of wounds. Bacteria can colonize the wound and impede the healing process, leading to a chronic wound.

Choice D reason:
Continued pressure, much like infection, is generally a local cause of chronic wounds. It is most commonly associated with the development of pressure ulcers in individuals who are bedridden or have limited mobility. The constant pressure on certain areas of the body can lead to tissue ischemia and necrosis, resulting in a chronic wound.

Choice A reason:
Squamous cell carcinoma typically presents as a rough, scaly, red patch, open sore, or raised growth with a central depression, often on sun-exposed areas of the body. While it can appear as a lesion that varies in color, it is not commonly associated with a nevus that has increased in size.

Choice B reason:
Malignant melanoma is associated with changes in preexisting nevi, such as an increase in size and variations in color. It often appears as a mole that changes in color, size, or feel and may have irregular edges. The description of the lesion provided by the client is characteristic of malignant melanoma, making this the correct diagnosis.

Choice C reason:
Kaposi's sarcoma is a cancer that forms in the lining of blood and lymph vessels and typically appears as patches of abnormal tissue on the skin or mucous membranes. These lesions are usually red or purple and look similar to bruises¹. They are not typically described as nevi that increase in size or lesions that vary in color.

Choice D reason:
Basal cell carcinoma often appears as a slightly transparent bump on the skin, though it can take other forms. It usually presents as a pearly white or pink bump on white skin, or a brown or black bump on darker skin, and is most often found on sun-exposed areas. It is not typically associated with a nevus that has increased in size or an irregularly shaped lesion that varies in color.