Overview
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot within deep veins, most commonly in the popliteal, femoral, or iliac veins of the lower extremities.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot within deep veins, most commonly in the popliteal, femoral, or iliac veins of the lower extremities. Immobility is the most modifiable and common precipitant of hospital-acquired DVT, which affects 10–40% of hospitalized medical/surgical patients without prophylaxis. If missed: Untreated DVT carries a 1–5% risk of fatal pulmonary embolism (PE). Hospitalized patients account for approximately 50% of all VTE events in Canada. Post-thrombotic syndrome (chronic venous insufficiency) develops in 20–50% of patients with proximate DVT left untreated. Why immobility is the critical trigger: Virchow's triad — stasis (immobility), endothelial injury (surgery/trauma), and hypercoagulability — must be understood mechanistically. Immobility alone addresses stasis; it does not eliminate all three components in surgical patients. Top 3 nursing priorities: (1) Implement mechanical and pharmacological prophylaxis within 24 hours of admission for all high-risk patients; (2) Perform daily lower extremity DVT assessment (Homans' sign is unreliable — use Wells score criteria); (3) Recognize early PE symptoms (sudden pleuritic chest pain + dyspnea) as a life-threatening escalation requiring immediate response. NCLEX trap: Homans' sign (calf...
