A nurse in an outpatient clinic is collecting data from a client who reports pain in the legs when walking, but the pain stops when stopping walking. Which of the following conditions should the nurse suspect?

Choice A reason: Limiting movement increases venous stasis, raising deep vein thrombosis risk. Mobility, like walking, promotes venous return, preventing clots. This is incorrect, as the nurse should teach interventions like compression devices to enhance circulation, not restrict movement, which worsens thrombosis risk.

Choice B reason: Sequential compression devices promote venous return by applying intermittent pressure, reducing stasis and preventing deep vein thrombosis. This is a standard intervention for immobile patients, making it the correct choice to include in teaching for effective DVT prevention among newly licensed nurses.

Choice C reason: Massaging lower extremities risks dislodging clots, increasing embolism risk in patients prone to deep vein thrombosis. Compression devices are safer, making this incorrect, as the nurse should avoid teaching interventions that could cause harm instead of preventing thrombosis.

Choice D reason: Checking for Homan’s sign (calf pain on dorsiflexion) is a diagnostic, not preventive, measure for deep vein thrombosis and is unreliable. Preventive interventions like compression devices are prioritized, making this incorrect for teaching, as it does not contribute to DVT prevention strategies.

Choice A reason: Aerobic exercise for 30 minutes most days (150 minutes weekly) lowers blood pressure by improving vascular function and reducing cardiac workload. This is a correct recommendation, as it aligns with hypertension guidelines, promoting cardiovascular health in a 55-year-old patient.

Choice B reason: Limiting alcohol to one drink per day reduces blood pressure, as excessive alcohol raises it by increasing vascular resistance. This is a correct recommendation, supporting hypertension management by minimizing alcohol’s adverse effects on cardiovascular function in the patient.

Choice C reason: A diet high in saturated fats increases cholesterol and blood pressure, worsening hypertension. Low-saturated-fat diets, like DASH, are recommended, making this incorrect, as the nurse should teach reducing saturated fats to improve cardiovascular outcomes in hypertension.

Choice D reason: Losing weight if overweight reduces blood pressure by decreasing vascular resistance and cardiac strain. This is a correct recommendation, as weight loss is a key lifestyle change for hypertension management, improving overall cardiovascular health in the patient.

Choice E reason: Increasing processed food intake is incorrect, as these foods are high in sodium, raising blood pressure. A low-sodium diet is recommended for hypertension, making this an incorrect choice, as the nurse should teach avoiding processed foods to control blood pressure.