Patient was educated on pitting edema as follows:

1. Pitting edema can be demonstrated by applying gentle pressure to the site of swelling with a finger and holding the pressure for 5 seconds.
2. This results in indentation that can last for a few seconds. Depending on the extent of indentation and the length of time it persists, pitting edema can be graded.
3. The higher the grade of pitting, the more serious the disease process is with the patient.
4. Pitting edema is mainly caused with disease processes involving vital organs, such as congestive heart failure, renal failure, and liver failure.
5. In these conditions, pitting edema is usually generalized and involves fluid accumulation in tissues all over the body.
6. Pitting edema can sometimes be localized, affecting one or two extremities.