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Management of Postpartum Patients with DVT and PE
Management of Postpartum Patients with DVT and PE ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a postpartum client who has a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in her right leg.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Applying a cold compress to the affected area can cause vasoconstriction and worsen blood flow.It can also increase the risk of skin damage and infection.
Massaging the affected leg gently can dislodge the thrombus and cause a pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening complication of DVT.
This helps to reduce swelling and pain by improving venous blood flow and preventing stasis.
Removing the antiembolism stockings periodically can increase the risk of thrombus formation and extension.Antiembolism stockings provide graduated compression that improves venous return and prevents edema.
Elevate the affected leg above the level of the heart. This helps to reduce swelling and pain by improving venous blood flow and preventing stasis.
Choice A is wrong because applying a cold compress to the affected area can cause vasoconstriction and worsen blood flow. It can also increase the risk of skin damage and infection.
Choice B is wrong because massaging the affected leg gently can dislodge the thrombus and cause a pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening complication of DVT.
Choice D is wrong because removing the antiembolism stockings periodically can increase the risk of thrombus formation and extension. Antiembolism stockings provide graduated compression that improves venous return and prevents edema.
Normal ranges for D-dimer, a marker of fibrin degradation and thrombosis, are less than 0.5 mcg/mL or 500 ng/mL. Elevated levels indicate a high probability of DVT or PE.