A nurse is assessing a client with suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which diagnostic test should the nurse anticipate to confirm the presence of DVT?

A) This choice is incorrect because while monitoring blood pressure is essential, it is not the priority action for clients on anticoagulant therapy. The primary concern is assessing the client's response to the medication and their risk of bleeding.

B) This choice is correct. Monitoring the client's prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR) is crucial in assessing the effectiveness of anticoagulant therapy. The PT and INR measure how long it takes the blood to clot and help determine the appropriate dosage of anticoagulants to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.

C) This choice is incorrect because checking the client's blood glucose levels is not directly related to monitoring the response to anticoagulant therapy. Blood glucose monitoring is essential for clients with diabetes but not a priority in this context.

D) This choice is incorrect because evaluating the client's respiratory rate and pattern is not the priority action for monitoring the response to anticoagulant therapy. Respiratory assessment is vital in detecting potential complications like a pulmonary embolism but does not directly assess the client's anticoagulation status.

Questions

A) This choice is incorrect because chest pain and shortness of breath are more indicative of a potential pulmonary embolism, a serious complication of DVT. While DVT can lead to a pulmonary embolism, the primary manifestation of DVT is related to the affected limb.

B) This choice is correct. Warmth and redness over the affected area, typically the calf or thigh, are common clinical manifestations of DVT. The warmth is due to the inflammatory response caused by the blood clot formation.

C) This choice is incorrect because pedal edema and bilateral leg pain are non-specific findings and can be caused by various conditions, not just DVT. They are not specific enough to diagnose DVT on their own.

D) This choice is incorrect because weak pedal pulses and cool extremities are not typically associated with DVT. These findings suggest potential arterial insufficiency rather than venous thrombosis.