A nurse notes the appearance of generalized edema over the client's entire body. How should this be documented?

The term "anasarca" is used to describe a condition characterized by severe, generalized edema affecting the entire body. It typically arises from systemic issues such as heart failure, kidney disease, or other medical conditions that lead to fluid retention. Documenting the edema as anasarca provides an accurate clinical description, effectively communicating the severity and extent of the fluid accumulation in the patient's body. This detail is crucial for guiding appropriate treatment and management strategies.

Other terms such as "3+ edema" refer to a grading scale used to describe the severity of edema in a localized area, rather than indicating a generalized condition. "Hyperemia" describes an increased blood flow to an area of the body and is not related to fluid retention, while "localized edema" implies swelling in a specific region rather than the whole body. Therefore, accurately using the term anasarca conveys the systemic nature of the patient’s condition.