Which finding is typical in a venous insufficiency limb?

• A. Cool limb with non-pitting edema.
• B. Hot, red, swollen.
• C. Warm limb with edema.
• D. Dry, pale skin.

Answer: (C)

Venous insufficiency raises venous pressure in the leg, causing fluid to leak into the interstitial space and produce edema. The pooling of blood in the limb tends to make it feel warm and swollen, especially with dependency. This warmth with edema fits venous issues, unlike arterial problems which make the limb cool and pale due to poor arterial inflow, or infections which cause a hot, red, tender limb. Dry, pale skin points more toward arterial disease or chronic skin changes rather than venous pooling. So a warm limb with edema best reflects venous insufficiency.