nurse to nurse patient report with dvt

by Lauretta Stokes 6 min read

Deep Vein Thrombosis Nursing Care Management and …

21 hours ago  · Helping patients feel more comfortable. Your treatment of DVT will also aim to help patients alleviate their discomfort through such approaches as warm compresses, ambulation, or help to find more comfortable positions. In addition to these nursing interventions, you will also help provide care in other ways. >> Go To The Portal


Nurses should monitor any signs of bleeding at a deep vein thrombosis site on patients who have not had surgery such as a femoral DVT. If the patient has a wound that is not healing and they have developed an infection, nurses should assess for signs of impaired wound healing as one possible diagnosis to explain why it is not improving.

Full Answer

What is the role of nurses in DVT care?

Nurses will be involved in caring for patients with DVT in the inpatient setting. Depending on the severity of the clot, patients may need to be hospitalized to receive IV anticoagulants which require frequent lab monitoring to ensure efficacy.

What are the key components of DVT nursing interventions?

Below are the key components of DVT nursing interventions: Early ambulation. One of the best things you can do to prevent DVT is get those patients up and walking.

What is the nursing diagnosis for deep vein thrombosis?

Nursing Diagnosis: Risk for Bleeding related to anticoagulant therapy for deep vein thrombosis Desired Outcome: To prevent any bleeding episode while the patient is on anticoagulant therapy. Assess the patient’s vital signs and perform a focused physical assessment, looking for any signs of bleeding.

How do you Prevent DVT in nursing?

Conclusion: Nursing care plan for DVT You can prevent the development of DVT at home. If it is possible, exercise regularly, walking, bicycling, or swimming can help a great deal to manage your weight. You should avoid smoking and keep an eye on your blood pressure.

image

How can a nurse assess a patient with DVT?

The D-dimer test is sometimes done in primary care by the assessing nurse but can also be done in hospital. Patients with a likely two-level Wells DVT score (two points or above) should have a proximal leg vein ultrasound scan (USS) within four hours. If the result is negative, a D-dimer test should be performed.

What interventions would a nurse use for a patient with a DVT?

The major nursing interventions that the nurse should observe are: Provide comfort. Elevation of the affected extremity, graduated compression stockings, warm application, and ambulation are adjuncts to the therapy that can remove or reduce discomfort.

How do you assess a patient with a DVT?

Homan's sign test also called dorsiflexon sign test is a physical examination procedure that is used to test for Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). A positive Homan's sign in the presence of other clinical signs may be a quick indicator of DVT.

What key assessments do you look for in a patient with a DVT?

Visible signs of a DVT are an acutely swollen leg and dilatation of superficial veins; other features are the leg being hot to touch and pain on palpation of the calf.

What is a nursing goal for DVT?

The objective of treatment of DVT involves preventing the clot from dislodgement (risking pulmonary embolism) and reducing the risk of post-thrombotic syndrome.

How do you write a nursing diagnosis?

A nursing diagnosis has typically three components: (1) the problem and its definition, (2) the etiology, and (3) the defining characteristics or risk factors (for risk diagnosis). BUILDING BLOCKS OF A DIAGNOSTIC STATEMENT. Components of an NDx may include problem, etiology, risk factors, and defining characteristics.

How do you assess for a blood clot?

Venous ultrasound: This test is usually the first step for confirming a venous blood clot. Sound waves are used to create a view of your veins. A Doppler ultrasound may be used to help visualize blood flow through your veins. If the results of the ultrasound are inconclusive, venography or MR angiography may be used.

What is a nursing care plan for a patient at risk for DVT?

Nursing care plan for a patient at risk for DVT. A patient at risk for DVT refers to an extensive medical diagnosis that needs immediate medical intervention. The nursing diagnoses put attention on symptoms and signs that require to be treated by a professional doctor.

What is a DVT?

Thrombophlebitis is a serious condition of inflammation of the veins that results in blood clots or thrombosis that may hinder the normal flow of blood through vessels. Venous thrombophlebitis occurs typically in lower extremities, or superficial veins like basilic, greater saphenous veins, ...

How to treat DVT in the leg?

The nursing care plan for DVT in the leg may include: 1 Information relating to the treatment, the disease condition and how to prevent it 2 Monitoring and assessing anticoagulant therapy 3 Offering comfort measures 4 Providing information about the positioning of the body 5 Encourage exercise 6 Maintaining sufficient tissue perfusion 7 Information relating to the prevention of complications

What is the goal of DVT treatment?

The main goal of DVT treatment is to prevent the dislodgement of the blood clot. This will reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism. The treatment of DVT also reduces the risk of any post-thrombotic syndrome. If you rather learn how to do nursing care plan for DVT while watching a video, here is a quick thorough video for you.

What are the causes of DVT?

Even though the precise cause of DVT or deep vein thrombosis is vague and imprecise, the mechanisms that are more likely to be responsible for the development of DVT are: Damage – Any damage to the internal lining of the blood vessels develops a place for the blood to form clots.

How to avoid DVT while sitting?

Avoid wearing tight clothes and do not cross your legs while sitting. This will hinder the normal blood flow and leading to swelling. At this point, you should know a lot about the nursing care plan for DVT.

How to prevent DVT?

If it is possible, exercise regularly, walking, bicycling, or swimming can help a great deal to manage your weight. You should avoid smoking and keep an eye on your blood pressure.

What is the problem with DVT?

The biggest problem we worry about with a DVT is that the clot will dislodge (go from being a thrombus to being an embolus) and block vessels in the lung, becoming a pulmonary embolism (also called a PE). IVC filters may be used to prevent a pulmonary embolism from occurring.

Where does DVT occur?

What is a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)? A deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot that forms in the deep veins of the body, most often in the legs, but they can occur in the upper extremities as well. These blood clots can become dislodged leading to a pulmonary embolism. Notice that the “thrombus” caused the “embolism.”.

What is the blood clot that causes embolism?

Notice that the “thrombus” caused the “embolism.”. A thrombus is the blood clot as it exists in the vessel; once it dislodges and starts to travel throughout the blood stream, it is then called an embolus. Think of an embolus as a thrombus on the move!

What is the reversal of heparin?

The reversal for heparin is protamine sulfate (given IV). Fibrinolytics such as alteplase are used to dissolve the clot. These medications can be instilled via a peripheral IV or central line, or through a special catheter placed right at the site of the clot itself.

What is the reversal agent for warfarin?

If these patients have any greens, they should have the same amount basically every day. The reversal agents for warfarin are Vitamin K (given IV) and clotting factors which are found in fresh frozen plasma (FFP), prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) and recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa).

Why is INR therapeutic?

When the INR is in this range we say “the INR is therapeutic” because even though it’s elevated, it’s on purpose…a result of the therapy. The patient will need to keep their consumption of leafy greens consistent. This is because warfarin is reversed with Vit K…leafy greens have a lot of Vitamin K!

Does smoking cause blood clotting?

Smoking also affects blood clotting (yet another reason not to smoke!) Obesity, though not technically part of the triad, can predispose a patient to having a higher risk for DVT. A study conducted in 2012 states that obese patients have more than twice the risk of developing a thrombosis…that’s huge!

What is the objective of DVT treatment?

The objective of treatment of DVT involves preventing the clot from dislodgement (risking pulmonary embolism) and reducing the risk of post-thrombotic syndrome.

What are the contributing factors to deep vein thrombosis?

Three contributing factors (known as Virchow’s triad) can lead to the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which includes venous stasis, hypercoagulability, and a vessel wall injury. Venous stasis occurs when blood flow is decreased, as in immobility, medication therapies and in heart failure. Hypercoagulability occurs most commonly in clients ...

What is the name of the thrombolytic agent?

Thrombolytic agents, such as alteplase (Activase, tPA), anistreplase (APSAC, Eminase), reteplase (Retavase), streptokinase (Kabikinase, Streptase), tenecteplase (TNKase) and urokinase (Abbokinase) These agents intended to bring about clot lysis (breakdown of the clot) and immediate normalization of venous blood flow.

Is dyspnea a sign of pulmonary embolism?

Dyspnea and increased work of breathing may be first or only sign of subacute pulmonary embolism. Severe respiratory distress and failure accompany moderate to severe loss of functional lung units. Observe for generalized duskiness and cyanosis in the earlobes, lips, tongue, and buccal membranes. Suggestive of systemic hypoxemia.

Can a pulmonary embolism be fatal?

It may also occur in superficial veins such as cephalic, basilic, and greater saphenous veins, which usually is not life threatening and does not necessitate hospitalization, or it may happen in a deep vein, which can be life-threatening because clots may travel to the bloodstream and cause a pulmonary embolism.

Incidence of Deep vein thrombosis

Each year around 1 to 2 patients per 1000 patients are affected in the United States. According to a CDC report, about 60,000 to 1,00,000 patients die due to thromboembolism/pulmonary embolism. About 10% to 30% of people die within one month of diagnosis.

Pathophysiology of Deep vein thrombosis

The exact cause of venous thrombosis is unclear. Mainly three factors of Virchow’s triad like venous stasis, vessel wall injury, and altered blood coagulation. Thrombophlebitis occurs with thrombus formation. Due to the stasis of blood thrombus formation occurs. If thrombus formation occurs without any inflammation, it is called phlebothrombosis.

Deep vein thrombosis symptoms

There are no specific signs and symptoms of deep vein thrombosis. It makes it difficult to recognize venous thrombosis. Only in case of phlegmasia cerula dolens entire extremities swollen severely, skin becomes cool to touch, tensed, and painful. So if any sign of thrombosis is found in the patient, it should be properly investigated.

Treatments for deep vein thrombosis

The main goal of treatment of deep vein thrombosis is to relieve acute symptoms, prevent the propagation of blood clots, restore venous patency, prevent the formation of further pulmonary embolism and maintain venous valvular function.

Nursing management of deep vein thrombosis

Unfractionated heparin is administered in continuous infusion using electronic devices to avoid hemorrhage.

Frequently asked questions

Deep vein thrombosis is also known as venous thromboembolism. Various venous disorders reduce the blood flow and lead to thrombus (clot) formation inside the vein. It mostly occurs in the legs. It interrupts blood flow.

image

What Is Deep Vein Thrombosis?

Image
Deep vein thrombosis is a part of a condition called venous thromboembolism. 1. Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot (thrombus)forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body, usually in the legs. 2. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg painor swelling, but may occur without any symptoms. 3. Deep vein thrombos…
See more on nurseslabs.com

Pathophysiology

  • Although the exact cause of deep vein thrombosis remains unclear, there are mechanisms believed to play a significant role in its development. 1. Reduced blood flow. Venous stasis occurs when blood flow is reduced, when veins are dilated, and when skeletal musclecontraction is reduced. 2. Damage.Damage to the intimal lining of blood vessels creates a site for clot formati…
See more on nurseslabs.com

Statistics and Incidences

  • The incidences of deep vein thrombosis that occurs together with pulmonary embolismare: 1. The incidence of DVT is 10% to 20% in general medical patients,20% to 50% in patients who have had stroke, and up to 80%in critically ill patients. 2. It is estimated that as many as 30%of patients hospitalized with DVT develop long-term post-thrombotic complications.
See more on nurseslabs.com

Causes

  • The exact cause of deep vein thrombosis remains unknown, but there are factors that may aggravate it further. 1. Direct trauma. Direct trauma to the vessels, as with fractureor dislocation, diseases of the veins, and chemical irritation of the veins from IV medications and solutions, can damage the veins. 2. Blood coagulability.Increased blood coagulability occurs most commonly i…
See more on nurseslabs.com

Clinical Manifestations

  • A major problem associated with recognizing DVT is that the signs and symptoms are nonspecific. 1. Edema.With obstruction of the deep veins comes edema and swelling of the extremity because the outflow of venous blood is inhibited 2. Phlegmasia cerulea dolens. Also called massive iliofemoral venous thrombosis, the entire extremity becomes massively swollen, …
See more on nurseslabs.com

Prevention

  • Deep vein thrombosis can be prevented, especially if patients who are considered high risk are identified and preventive measures are instituted without delay. 1. Graduated compression stockings.Compression stockings prevent dislodgement of the thrombus. 2. Pneumatic compression device.Intermittent pneumatic compression devices increase blood velocity beyon…
See more on nurseslabs.com

Complications

  • The following complications should be monitored and managed: 1. Bleeding. The principal complication of anticoagulant therapy is spontaneous bleeding, and it can be detected by microscopic examination of urine. 2. Thrombocytopenia.A complication of heparin therapy may be heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, which is defined as a sudden decrease in platelet count b…
See more on nurseslabs.com

Assessment and Diagnostic Findings

  • Detecting early signs of venous disorders of the lower extremities may be possible through: 1. Doppler ultrasound.The tip of the Doppler transducer is positioned at a 45- to 60-degree angle over the expected location of the artery and angled slowly to identify arterial blood flow. 2. Computed tomography.Computed tomography provides cross-sectional images of soft tissue a…
See more on nurseslabs.com

Medical Management

  • The objectives for treatment of DVT are to prevent thrombus from growing and fragmenting, recurrent thromboemboli, and postthrombotic syndrome. 1. Endovascular management. Endovascular management is necessary for DVT when anticoagulant or thrombolytic therapy is contraindicated, the danger of pulmonary embolismis extreme, or venous drainage is so severel…
See more on nurseslabs.com

Nursing Diagnosis

  • Based on the assessment data, the major nursing diagnosesare: 1. Ineffective tissue perfusionrelated to interruption of venous blood flow. 2. Impaired comfortrelated to vascular inflammation and irritation. 3. Risk for impaired physical mobilityrelated to discomfort and safety precautions. 4. Deficient knowledgeregarding pathophysiology of condition related to lack of inf…
See more on nurseslabs.com