Life/form® Pitting Edema Trainer, 4-stages

Classroom discussions will come alive when practicing skills on this interesting and unique trainer. Part of patient assessment includes observation of swelling in the extremities. Swelling is caused by the abnormal accumulation of fluid within the 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 edema. Pitting edema is a subjective observation and is graded by the depth of the indentation and the time it persists after the release of pressure.

FIGURE 1
1+ Mild pitting, slight indentation (2mm), no perceptible swelling of area.

FIGURE 2
2+ Moderate pitting, indentation (4mm), subsides rapidly.

FIGURE 3
3+ Deep pitting, indentation (6mm), remains for a short time, area looks swollen.

FIGURE 4
4+ Very deep pitting, indentation (8mm), lasts a long time, area is very swollen.