What is a common symptom of edema?

• A. Increased blood pressure
• B. Pain upon movement
• C. Swelling in affected areas
• D. Excessive fatigue

Answer: (C)

A common symptom of edema is swelling in the affected areas. Edema refers to the accumulation of excess fluid in the body's tissues, which often leads to visible swelling, typically in the legs, feet, arms, or face. This swelling occurs because the increased fluid volume in the interstitial spaces causes the tissue to expand.

In the context of the other options, while increased blood pressure can be related to fluid retention, it is not a direct symptom of edema. Pain upon movement might sometimes occur depending on the underlying cause of the edema, but it is not a defining characteristic of edema itself. Excessive fatigue may accompany many health conditions, but it does not specifically indicate the presence of edema. Thus, swelling is the hallmark symptom that most accurately describes what happens in edema.