help in assessing pitting edema

[sxirs4277]

Could someone give me the run down on assessing pitting edema by the 1+, 2+.3+ &4+ system. Thanks Rick

[mustangsheba]

Rick: The most commonly used check point is the tibia. Press your fingers for several seconds over the tibia, see how long the depression remains and how deep it is after you remove your fingers - 1+ is minimal; 2-3+ moderate; 3-4+ severe and it takes minutes to disappear. I don't usually check the sacrum on every patient that has edema until I get them up unless it is in the 2-3+ range in the lower extremities Severely edematous patients sometimes won't even pit they get so hard. I hope this is helpful. I'm not an expert, but I didn't see any other responses.