The nurse provides discharge teaching to a patient with venous leg ulcers.
Which statement made by the patient indicates the need for further education?

Choice A rationale:

Taking a daily walk is a beneficial activity for patients with venous leg ulcers. Walking promotes blood circulation, which can aid in wound healing. This statement indicates that the patient understands the importance of physical activity for their condition.

Choice B rationale:

Trying to lose weight is another positive step for a patient with venous leg ulcers, especially if the patient is overweight. Excess body weight can put additional pressure on the veins in the legs, worsening venous insufficiency. Losing weight can alleviate this pressure and improve venous circulation, supporting the healing process of leg ulcers.

Choice C rationale:

Wearing stockings after getting out of bed is a proper technique for managing venous leg ulcers. Compression stockings help improve blood flow in the legs and reduce swelling, which is beneficial for patients with venous insufficiency and leg ulcers. This statement indicates that the patient understands the importance of wearing compression stockings consistently.

Choice D rationale:

Not wearing knee-high socks that are tight around the calf is essential advice for patients with venous leg ulcers. Tight clothing, including socks or stockings, can impede blood circulation in the legs, worsening venous insufficiency and delaying wound healing. This statement indicates the need for further education because the patient should avoid any tight clothing around the affected area to promote optimal blood flow and wound healing.

Choice A rationale:
Increased cobalamin levels are not indicative of polycythemia vera. Polycythemia vera is characterized by an increase in the total red blood cell mass. Elevated cobalamin levels are not specific to this condition.
Choice B rationale:
Decreased histamine levels are not a diagnostic marker for polycythemia vera. Histamine levels are not typically associated with this disorder.
Choice C rationale:
Increased hemoglobin levels are a significant finding in polycythemia vera. Polycythemia vera is a disorder characterized by an abnormal increase in the number of red blood cells, leading to elevated hemoglobin levels.
Choice D rationale:
Increased red blood cell levels are a hallmark feature of polycythemia vera. The increased production of red blood cells leads to elevated red blood cell levels, which is a key diagnostic indicator for this condition.