Care of a Patient with a Dvt

A DVT is a blood clot that can occur anywhere in the body, but these blood clots tend to occur in the deep veins of the legs and thighs. It is critical that these clots are diagnosed and treated promptly to prevent further complications such as a pulmonary embolism, which occurs when a blood clot travels from the lower extremities

Studies to show which type of leg compression device is optimal for DVT prevention are not available. Knee-length SCD’s are more comfortable to patients, encourages higher levels of compliance and also provide beneficial prophylaxis against DVT.

Patient is a 60 year old gentleman with PMH significant for CVA with residual left side weakness and speech difficulties, IDDM2, HFrEF (15% in March 2017 per cardiac Cath, and 32% per TTE 3/23/17 ), and CAD/MI s/p DES X 2 to the LAD (Tampa VA in 2012, 3/2017 at Florida Hospital), presenting initially to OVAMC on 5/19/17 with left hip pain after a mechanical fall at home. He had an MI in late March 2017, at which time he had a DES placed in the proximal-mid LAD (LHC also revealed a LV apical thrombus – 1.6 x 1.4 cm). His EF at that time was reportedly 15% per LHC, and it was suggested he get a Life Vest prior to discharge. Patient subsequently left AMA, without a Life Vest and without prescriptions (including the one

Venous thromboembolism refers to the formation of a blood clot in a blood vessel. While clots can form in an artery or a vein, this article focuses only on clots that occur in a vein ("," 2015). Critically ill patients are at an increased risk of a venous thromboembolism (VTE) due to VTE can manifest as a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or a pulmonary embolism (PE). Risk factors include venous stasis, vascular injury, and hypercoagulable disorders. A majority of ICU patients carry at least one risk factor for VTE; additional risk factors are considered to have a cumulative effect…it is impossible to predict which patients will experience a

The most obvious symptom of DVT is heavy pain or extreme tenderness in one of the legs. According to American Family Physician, up to 80 percent of

A focused assessment is an assessment that centers directly on the chief complaint that a patient presents with when they arrive to seek out care. In this case, our assessment is focused on a potential deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A DVT is a essentially a ball of blood cells that are clumped together impeding blood flow which can cause irritation to the vein and potentially more dangerous problems. If the thrombus moves, it can travel through the body and into the lungs and impeded breathing which is not good. Therefore, it is essential to catch DVT’s right away and treat them to prevent them from moving. The first thing that needs to be assessed when a patient presents with a suspected DVT is their level of consciousness and their vital signs including the heart rate, blood pressure, respirations, temperature and oxygen saturation. Next, assess the site of the expected DVT, and perform a neurovascular assessment which comparing to the same site on the opposite side of the patients body. Check for adequate circulation by assessing for pink color distal to the site. While performing this assessment, you want the area distal to the site to be pink to ensure there is adequate blood flow. If it is whitish in color, this is a sign of a DVT and needs to be documented. While assessing color, also assess the site directly for any color deviation from the clients natural skin color. If the

Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is a disease that embodies both pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). On the side of research, VTE is the most common preventable cause of hospital-associated mortality and is both the second most common medical complication and cause of excess length of hospital stay (LOS). Furthermore, with appropriate evidence-based prophylactic measures, the occurrence of hospital-associated VTE (HA-VTE) can be reduced by as much as seventy percent. Subsequently, there are approximately between 200,000 and 300,000 VTE-related deaths annually, which is greater than the yearly rate of mortality for breast cancer,

Pedal pulse are usually decreased or absent during this stage. The second stage of PAD is claudication also known as the “limb” stage. In this stage, patient usually begin to seek medical attention due to pain in the legs known as intermittent claudication. A nurse assessing a patient with intermittent claudication will expect to find muscle pain, cramping, or burning during exercise. This pain usually goes away with rest but, during the third stage of PAD known as rest pain, the patient continues to experience pain even while at rest. This pain usually occur in the toes, arch, forefoot or heal and is described as numbness, or burning tooth ache pain. Placing extremity in a dependent position usually relieves the pain. The fourth and last stage of PAD is the necrosis or gangrene stage which comprises of ulcers and blacken tissue on the toes, forefoot and heel with a gangrenous odor. Depending on the extend of the disease, a nurse assessing a patient with PAD will find coldness, hair loss , cyanosis or darkened on the lower extremities; scaly, dusky, pale, or mottled skin, harden toenail, pallor when extremity is elevated, and redness when extremity is lowered (med

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is an epidemic that rain rapid in Australia and was a very big concern. The study of this sickness was a major Problem as it had affected the demographic area of Perth, Australia. The epidemic is a very big problem as VTE is connected with the trauma, surgery, and cancer and this sickness is caused while

While taking regular physical assessment the therapist should be aware of the signs of DVT or PE that include redness, warmth, or swelling. Additionally, DVT can be predicted from a few laboratory tests such as International normalized ratio (INR), prothrombin time, and hemoglobin level. These laboratory tests indicate blood clotting. Homan's sign is one of the tests to rule out DVT but it is not reliable because of the low sensitivity and specificity, and the therapist should not be relied on it (Goodman & Snyder, 2013). Doppler ultrasound is the most common noninvasive and painless test for DVT. In the hospital where I was working, the treatment protocol to prevent DVT included assisted walking and leg exercises as soon as possible after surgery. Leg exercises included static quads and ankle, knee, and hip joint movements, not just to strengthen the lower extremity muscles but also to improve blood circulation in the deep veins and avoid blood clotting. Continuous passive movement

The most common condition is superficial thrombophlebitis. Superficial thrombophlebitis normally occurs in the lower extremities, but have been found in the breast and penis also. Redness and tenderness along the course of the vein accompanied by swelling can occur. Pain is also associated in the affected area. In most cases involving the superficial leg veins begin to resolve themselves within a week or two. These blocked veins can lead to infection and tissue

Anderson study: Four randomized trials of patients, aged 52-66, with DVTs were done to determine different interventions that can contribute to either making DVT’s

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a disorder that occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein that is deep inside the body. It is mainly associated with veins in the legs, usually in the lower leg and thigh, but may occur in other parts of the body. About half of the people who have DVT show no symptoms, but people who sit for long periods, are over 60 and smoke are at higher risk, and should be aware of possible signs of a problem.

Recently, however, there has been widespread use of the less invasive duplex ultrasound to assess the deep and superficial venous systems, allowing treatment to be much more focussed, as well as reducing the likelihood of trauma. The Duplex Ultrasound machine works by assessing the direction and speed of blood flow, whilst producing a direct ultrasound picture of the enlarged veins on a screen. This allows the specialist to map the distribution of veins.

The median basilic, at the inner edge of the arm, may have tendency to roll and is near a main artery and nerve. This part of the arm is very tender. The cephalic vein also has a tendency to roll and the skin over it is often tough. Using the index or middle finger, palpate the arm, feeling for the best vein. If a vein cannot be found try the following suggestions. Gently pat the site to enlarge the veins, massage the arm, wrap the arm in a warm towel, check both arms, always select the most suitable vein for puncture. When selecting a vein, seek another site for puncture if any of the following conditions exist: edema, burn, hematoma, I.V. If another site is not available, consult the supervisor.