A nurse is visiting with the family of a client who has just died. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to promote comfort for the family?

Choice A:

An absent dorsal pedal pulse would indicate a vascular problem such as arterial occlusion, not a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In the case of DVT, blood flow in the veins is obstructed, but the arterial pulse, which is related to arterial circulation, should remain intact unless there is a separate arterial issue. Therefore, absent pulses are not characteristic of DVT.

Choice B:

Shiny, hairless skin is a sign typically associated with chronic arterial insufficiency, not DVT. This skin change occurs when there is poor arterial blood flow, which leads to a lack of nourishment for the skin, causing it to become thin and shiny. In contrast, DVT affects the veins and does not usually cause these skin changes in the acute phase.

Choice C:

Irregular, bulging veins are indicative of varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency, not a DVT. Varicose veins occur when the veins become swollen and twisted due to weak or damaged valves. DVT, on the other hand, involves the formation of a clot in the deep veins and does not typically cause the veins to bulge visibly, especially in the early stages.

Choice D:

Dull, aching pain is a common symptom associated with deep vein thrombosis. This pain typically occurs in the affected extremity and is often described as a constant, aching sensation. The pain can worsen with movement or standing and is due to the inflammation and obstruction caused by the blood clot in the deep veins. This is a hallmark sign of DVT, along with swelling and redness in the affected limb.

The first action the nurse should take is to reevaluate the client's response to the medication in 30 min. Hydromorphone has an onset of action of 15 to 30 minutes when taken orally ¹. Therefore, it may take some time for the medication to reach its full effect.

Option a is incorrect because it may not be necessary to contact the provider for more pain medication until after reevaluating the client's response to the medication.

Option b is incorrect because teaching relaxation techniques may not provide immediate relief for acute pain.

Option c is incorrect because documenting the client's reaction to the administration of medication should be done after reevaluating their response to the medication.