Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs. The deep veins pass through the deep tissues of the legs. These veins transport blood from the legs and feet back to the heart. The superficial veins are located beneath the surface of the skin, and the deep veins run between muscles of the legs. Contractions of these muscles helps to squeeze the blood towards the heart when we move our legs. Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are together called venous thromboembolism. “The incidence of VTE is 10% to 20% in general medical patients and up to 80% in critically ill patients” (Hinkle & Cheever, 2014, P. 846). DVT is where a blood clot or thrombus forms in a deep vein and It partially
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When a clot breaks off, it can get trapped in the lungs--causing pulmonary embolism (Bonner & Johnson, 2014). DVT can be caused by many factors such as Virchow’s triad Hypercoagulability, impaired blood flow, and damage to blood vessels (Hinkle & Cheever, 2014). This paper will explore the pathophysiology of the DVT and how it may lead to other major problems: the pharmacological treatment and their side effects, the nursing process, nursing interventions and care for a patient that might develop or show symptoms of DVT.
Pathophysiology
A DVT is a thrombus or blood clot that can occur in any of the deep veins in the body. However, DVT most commonly occurs in the deep veins of the leg or pelvis (Hinkle & Cheever, 2014). Unlike arteries which rely on the heart to force …show more content…
They monitor the symptoms of the patients by frequently checking their vital signs and managing the pain and swelling. They also provide elevation and compression for the affected area to help reduce symptoms of deep vein thrombosis like swelling and pain (Hinkle & Cheever, 2014). Nurses also encourage patients to exercise daily because it helps increase blood circulation. It also helps to fight obesity which is one of the risk factors of DVT. Nurses also encourage ambulation for those who are at risk of developing DVT, especially for those who have undergone abdominal or hip surgery. Nurses must provide range of motion (ROM) exercises and repositioning every 2 hours for those patients who are in bedrest (Hinkle & Cheever, 2014). Nurses teach patients how to apply a below-knee graduated compression to reduce swelling because it provides good circulation (Bonner & Johnson, 2014). Nurses monitor lab tests such as INR and APTT; they also have to teach their patients the signs and symptoms of DVT and how to be consistent in taking their
When a clot breaks off, it can get trapped in the lungs--causing pulmonary embolism (Bonner & Johnson, 2014). DVT can be caused by many factors such as Virchow’s triad Hypercoagulability, impaired blood flow, and damage to blood vessels (Hinkle & Cheever, 2014). This paper will explore the pathophysiology of the DVT and how it may lead to other major problems: the pharmacological treatment and their side effects, the nursing process, nursing interventions and care for a patient that might develop or show symptoms of DVT.
Pathophysiology
A DVT is a thrombus or blood clot that can occur in any of the deep veins in the body. However, DVT most commonly occurs in the deep veins of the leg or pelvis (Hinkle & Cheever, 2014). Unlike arteries which rely on the heart to force …show more content…
They monitor the symptoms of the patients by frequently checking their vital signs and managing the pain and swelling. They also provide elevation and compression for the affected area to help reduce symptoms of deep vein thrombosis like swelling and pain (Hinkle & Cheever, 2014). Nurses also encourage patients to exercise daily because it helps increase blood circulation. It also helps to fight obesity which is one of the risk factors of DVT. Nurses also encourage ambulation for those who are at risk of developing DVT, especially for those who have undergone abdominal or hip surgery. Nurses must provide range of motion (ROM) exercises and repositioning every 2 hours for those patients who are in bedrest (Hinkle & Cheever, 2014). Nurses teach patients how to apply a below-knee graduated compression to reduce swelling because it provides good circulation (Bonner & Johnson, 2014). Nurses monitor lab tests such as INR and APTT; they also have to teach their patients the signs and symptoms of DVT and how to be consistent in taking their