What defines a Venous Ulcer?

A venous ulcer is characterized by a disturbance in the forward flow of blood in the lower extremities, leading to increased hydrostatic pressure and venous hypertension. This pathological process results in dermal ulceration, primarily in areas where blood flow is compromised due to venous insufficiency. In patients with this condition, the veins have difficulty returning blood to the heart, which causes blood to pool in the lower extremities. This pooling increases pressure on the surrounding tissues, ultimately resulting in skin damage, inflammation, and ulcer formation.

The other choices describe different conditions or issues. For instance, insufficient arterial perfusion relates to arterial ulcers, which occur due to problems in the blood supply from arteries rather than veins. Similarly, while patients with diabetes are at a higher risk for various wound types, including ulcers, the specifics of their condition cannot define a venous ulcer. The option regarding intact skin with nonblanchable redness describes pressure ulcers or stage one pressure injuries, which are also distinct from the mechanism that causes venous ulcers. Thus, the chosen answer encapsulates the circulatory dysfunction that specifically leads to the formation of venous ulcers.