What exactly is anasarca?

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Is it really just generalized edema?

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Extreme generalized edema.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Anasarca is extreme generalized edema...... is a medical condition characterized by widespread swelling of the skin due to effusion of fluid into the extracellular space. This is extreme to the point that the skin will weep with fluid. It is generalized massive and extreme.

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My pt the week had Anasarca....

Face, arms, abdomen, back, legs, feet with +3-4 pitting edema. This patient even had periorbital and scleral edema.

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Massive generalized edema

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Seen it once. Very sad.

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I took care of someone like this years ago. Their skin constantly leaked fluid and she was placed on a plastic liner that drained into a container.

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