DVT & PE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Which statement below is incorrect about a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A. "Veins that are most susceptible to a deep vein thrombosis are the peroneal,
posterior tibial, popliteal and superficial femoral."
B. "DVTs tend to mostly occur in the lower extremities but can occur in the upper
extremities too."
C. "A deep vein thrombosis in the lower extremity has a low probability of becoming a
pulmonary embolism."
D. "A DVT is a type of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which is a blood clot that starts
in the vein." - Correct Answers -C
Select all the factors regarding a deep vein thrombosis that are included in Virchow's
Triad:
A. Hypocoagulability
B. Atherosclerosis
C. Endothelial damage
D. Stasis of venous blood
E. Excessive coagulability
F. Increased venous blood flow - Correct Answers -C, D, E
Rationale:
- Virchow's Triad details the THREE factors (hence why it called a triad) for blood clot
formation within the vessel. Remember "SHE": Stasis of Venous Blood,
Hypercoagulability (means excessive coagulability), Endothelial damage.
Based on Virchow's Triad, select which patients below are at RISK for the development
of a deep vein thrombosis? Select all that apply:
A. A 55-year-old male with hyperlipidemia and diabetes.
B. A 70-year-old female with severe sepsis.
C. A 25-year-old male who uses intravenous drugs.
D. A 65-year-old female who is post-op day 1 after joint replacement surgery. - Correct
Answers -B, C, D
, Rationale:
- Patients who experience sepsis are at risk for hypercoagulability of the blood. Patients
who use IV drugs damage the endothelial lining of the veins and this can lead to blood
clot formation. Patients who've had joint replacement surgery are at risk for blood clots
due to stasis of venous circulation etc.
You're developing a plan of care for a patient who is at risk for the development of a
deep vein thrombosis after surgery. What nursing intervention below would the nurse
NOT include in the patient's plan of care to prevent DVT formation?
A. The patient will eat all meals out of the bed daily by sitting in the bedside chair.
B. The nurse will apply sequential compression devices (SCDs) per physician's order to
the patient's lower extremities every night at bedtime.
C. The nurse will administer per physician's order Enoxaparin in the subcutaneous
tissue of the abdomen.
D. The patient will ambulate daily. - Correct Answers -B
Rationale:
- Yes, the nurse would apply SCDs per MD order to help prevent DVTs, BUT they are to
be applied and worn by the patient anytime they are in bed or sitting. The only time a
patient should not wear the SCDs is when they're ambulating. Therefore, the nurse
would NOT just apply them at bedtime but during the day too.
The nurse is assessing a patient, who has many risk factors for the development of a
DVT, for signs and symptoms of a deep vein thrombosis. What signs and symptoms
below would possibly indicate a deep vein thrombosis is present?
A. Cool extremity
B. Decreases pulses
C. Redness
D. Pain
E. Warm extremity
F. Swelling
G. Cyanosis - Correct Answers -C, D, E, F
Rationale:
- Signs and symptoms of a DVT include: redness, swelling, warm extremity, pain,
positive Homan's Sign, and swelling (which can be unilateral...meaning there is more
swelling in one extremity compared to the other).
A patient is receiving continuous IV Heparin for anticoagulation therapy for the
treatment of a DVT. In order for this medication to have a therapeutic effect on the
patient, the aPTT should be?
ANSWERS
Which statement below is incorrect about a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A. "Veins that are most susceptible to a deep vein thrombosis are the peroneal,
posterior tibial, popliteal and superficial femoral."
B. "DVTs tend to mostly occur in the lower extremities but can occur in the upper
extremities too."
C. "A deep vein thrombosis in the lower extremity has a low probability of becoming a
pulmonary embolism."
D. "A DVT is a type of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which is a blood clot that starts
in the vein." - Correct Answers -C
Select all the factors regarding a deep vein thrombosis that are included in Virchow's
Triad:
A. Hypocoagulability
B. Atherosclerosis
C. Endothelial damage
D. Stasis of venous blood
E. Excessive coagulability
F. Increased venous blood flow - Correct Answers -C, D, E
Rationale:
- Virchow's Triad details the THREE factors (hence why it called a triad) for blood clot
formation within the vessel. Remember "SHE": Stasis of Venous Blood,
Hypercoagulability (means excessive coagulability), Endothelial damage.
Based on Virchow's Triad, select which patients below are at RISK for the development
of a deep vein thrombosis? Select all that apply:
A. A 55-year-old male with hyperlipidemia and diabetes.
B. A 70-year-old female with severe sepsis.
C. A 25-year-old male who uses intravenous drugs.
D. A 65-year-old female who is post-op day 1 after joint replacement surgery. - Correct
Answers -B, C, D
, Rationale:
- Patients who experience sepsis are at risk for hypercoagulability of the blood. Patients
who use IV drugs damage the endothelial lining of the veins and this can lead to blood
clot formation. Patients who've had joint replacement surgery are at risk for blood clots
due to stasis of venous circulation etc.
You're developing a plan of care for a patient who is at risk for the development of a
deep vein thrombosis after surgery. What nursing intervention below would the nurse
NOT include in the patient's plan of care to prevent DVT formation?
A. The patient will eat all meals out of the bed daily by sitting in the bedside chair.
B. The nurse will apply sequential compression devices (SCDs) per physician's order to
the patient's lower extremities every night at bedtime.
C. The nurse will administer per physician's order Enoxaparin in the subcutaneous
tissue of the abdomen.
D. The patient will ambulate daily. - Correct Answers -B
Rationale:
- Yes, the nurse would apply SCDs per MD order to help prevent DVTs, BUT they are to
be applied and worn by the patient anytime they are in bed or sitting. The only time a
patient should not wear the SCDs is when they're ambulating. Therefore, the nurse
would NOT just apply them at bedtime but during the day too.
The nurse is assessing a patient, who has many risk factors for the development of a
DVT, for signs and symptoms of a deep vein thrombosis. What signs and symptoms
below would possibly indicate a deep vein thrombosis is present?
A. Cool extremity
B. Decreases pulses
C. Redness
D. Pain
E. Warm extremity
F. Swelling
G. Cyanosis - Correct Answers -C, D, E, F
Rationale:
- Signs and symptoms of a DVT include: redness, swelling, warm extremity, pain,
positive Homan's Sign, and swelling (which can be unilateral...meaning there is more
swelling in one extremity compared to the other).
A patient is receiving continuous IV Heparin for anticoagulation therapy for the
treatment of a DVT. In order for this medication to have a therapeutic effect on the
patient, the aPTT should be?
