Question

A client with a DVT is being cared for by a postpartum RN. Which nursing intervention should the nurse include in the client's plan of care?

a) Elevate the affected leg
b) Apply heat to the affected leg
c) Administer aspirin
d) Encourage ambulation

Answer 1

The nursing intervention the RN should include in the client's plan of care is to encourage ambulation to reduce the risk of DVT.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nursing intervention the postpartum RN should include in the client's plan of care is d) Encourage ambulation.

A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg. Prolonged sitting or immobility increases the risk of DVT due to stagnant blood flow. Encouraging ambulation, or walking, helps to promote blood circulation and reduce the risk of blood clot formation in the lower extremities.

Elevating the affected leg may provide temporary relief, but it is not the most effective intervention for preventing DVT. Applying heat to the affected leg may help with pain or discomfort, but it does not directly address the risk of DVT. Administering aspirin is not typically used as a first-line treatment for DVT and should be prescribed by a healthcare provider.