Description
Pitting Oedema Trainer
Part of the patient assessment includes observation of swelling in the extremities. Abnormal accumulation of fluid causes swelling within the interstitial spaces of tissue.
Pressing on the surface of the skin may leave an indentation that does not immediately rebound once the pressure is released.
This indentation is known as pitting oedema and it is graded by the depth of the indentation and then the time it persists after the release of pressure.
The trainer uses life-like simulated tissue to demonstrate the Stages 1+ through 4+:
1+ – Mild pitting, slight indentation (2mm), no perceptible swelling of the area
2+ – Moderate pitting, indentation (4mm) subsides rapidly
3+ – Deep pitting, indentation (6mm) remains for a short time, area looks swollen
4+ – Very deep pitting, indentation (8mm) lasts a long time, the area is very swollen
Features for assessment:
Stages (1+ through 4+)
Depth (2mm – 8mm)
Rebound time to baseline