A nurse is educating a client about the importance of compliance with anticoagulant therapy for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The client asks, "Why is it essential to take these medications?" What is the nurse's best response?
"Anticoagulants help dissolve existing blood clots in the veins."
"These medications prevent the formation of new blood clots in your veins."
"They reduce pain and inflammation associated with DVT."
"Anticoagulants improve blood flow to the affected limb."
The Correct Answer is B
A) This choice is incorrect because anticoagulants do not dissolve existing blood clots in the veins. They prevent further clot formation and allow the body's natural mechanisms to dissolve the clot over time.
B) This choice is correct. Anticoagulants work by inhibiting the clotting factors in the blood, which prevents the formation of new blood clots and reduces the risk of the existing clot enlarging or causing additional complications.
C) This choice is incorrect because while anticoagulants may indirectly reduce pain and inflammation by preventing further clot formation, their primary action is to prevent clotting, not directly reduce pain and inflammation associated with DVT.
D) This choice is incorrect because while anticoagulants can improve blood flow by preventing clot formation, they do not directly "improve" blood flow to the affected limb.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
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.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) This choice is incorrect because palpating the pulses in the extremities primarily assesses arterial blood flow, not venous thrombosis. While pulse assessment is essential, it is not the priority for identifying DVT-related manifestations.
B) This choice is correct. Measuring calf and thigh circumference can help identify possible DVT by comparing the affected leg's size to the unaffected one. DVT can cause localized swelling in the affected limb.
C) This choice is incorrect because auscultating the lungs for crackles is not a specific assessment for DVT. Crackles may be present in pulmonary edema, which can be a complication of DVT, but they do not directly assess the presence of a blood clot in the veins.
D) This choice is incorrect because performing a capillary refill test is primarily used to assess peripheral perfusion and is not specific to DVT assessment.
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