Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Case Study

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Case Study Directions: Answer the following questions and multiple choice questions: Provide justification for your answers for each multiple choice question: Kathy Adams is a 42-year-old female who is recovering from an abdominal cholecystectomy that was performed 4 days ago. Mrs. Adams is 5' 2" tall and weighs 187 pounds. She is currently on the following medications: cefazolin (Ancef), an antibiotic, and hydrocodone (Vicodin), an analgesic. She has a history of taking oral contraceptives, vitamins, and asthma medication. While performing an assessment of Mrs. Adams, the nurse notes that her right calf is swollen. Mrs. Adams reports that her leg has been painful since the previous evening, but otherwise, she feels fine. Vital signs are: T 100° F, P 80, R 16, BP 146/82. The nurse suspects that Mrs. Adams may have a blood clot in a vein in her leg. 1. Which term should the nurse use to most accurately report that Mrs. Adams may have developed a clot in her vein that is causing her pain and the swelling in her leg? A) Phlebitis. Feedback: INCORRECT Phlebitis means an inflammation of a vein that would occur following prolonged IV therapy without changing the IV insertion site. Phlebitis is treated locally with heat applications. B) Thrombosis. Feedback: INCORRECT Thrombosis is defined simply as blood clot formation. C) Thrombitis. Feedback: INCORRECT This is not correct medical terminology. D) Thrombophlebitis. Feedback: CORRECT Thrombophlebitis refers to the inflammation of a vein, often accompanied by the formation of a clot. This occurs most commonly in the lower extremities, and can occur in either the superficial