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Introduction ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a postpartum client who had a cesarean birth.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent DVT in this client?
Applying a heating pad to the lower legs does not prevent DVT and may increase the risk of bleeding or infection.
Encourage early and frequent ambulation.This action helps to prevent DVT by keeping the blood flowing in the lower legs and reducing venous stasis.Early and frequent ambulation is also recommended by various clinical guidelines for postpartum VTE prevention.
Placing a pillow under the knees when in bed does not prevent DVT and may worsen venous stasis by compressing the iliac veins.
Massaging the affected limb gently does not prevent DVT and may dislodge a clot or cause damage to the vein wall.
The correct answer is choice B. Encourage early and frequent ambulation. This action helps to prevent DVT by keeping the blood flowing in the lower legs and reducing venous stasis. Early and frequent ambulation is also recommended by various clinical guidelines for postpartum VTE prevention.
Choice A is wrong because applying a heating pad to the lower legs does not prevent DVT and may increase the risk of bleeding or infection.
Choice C is wrong because placing a pillow under the knees when in bed does not prevent DVT and may worsen venous stasis by compressing the iliac veins.
Choice D is wrong because massaging the affected limb gently does not prevent DVT and may dislodge a clot or cause damage to the vein wall.