Which finding is more typical of venous insufficiency than arterial disease?

Which finding is more typical of venous insufficiency than arterial disease?

• A. Diminished pulses
• B. Cool, pale limbs
• C. Shiny, hairless skin
• D. Leg edema with brownish discoloration

Answer: (D)

Venous insufficiency is marked by leg edema from pooled venous blood and skin changes due to chronic venous hypertension. The brownish discoloration comes from hemosiderin deposition as red blood cells leak into the skin over time, often around the ankles, sometimes with venous stasis dermatitis. In contrast, arterial disease usually presents with diminished or absent pulses, cool and pale limbs, and shiny, hairless skin from reduced arterial perfusion and trophic changes. So the combination of leg edema with brownish discoloration specifically reflects venous pooling and pigment deposition, making it the finding most typical of venous insufficiency.

Venous insufficiency is marked by leg edema from pooled venous blood and skin changes due to chronic venous hypertension. The brownish discoloration comes from hemosiderin deposition as red blood cells leak into the skin over time, often around the ankles, sometimes with venous stasis dermatitis. In contrast, arterial disease usually presents with diminished or absent pulses, cool and pale limbs, and shiny, hairless skin from reduced arterial perfusion and trophic changes. So the combination of leg edema with brownish discoloration specifically reflects venous pooling and pigment deposition, making it the finding most typical of venous insufficiency.