Question

The nurse is discharging a client diagnosed with DVT from the hospital. Which discharge instructions should be provided to the client?

a. Have the PTT levels checked weekly until therapeutic range is achieved.
b. Staying at home is best, but if traveling, airplanes are better than automobiles.
c. Avoid leafy green vegetables and notify the HCP of red or brown urine.
d. Wear knee stockings with an elastic band around the top.

Answer 1

The nurse should provide instructions to avoid leafy green vegetables and notify the healthcare provider of red or brown urine. The client should also be advised to wear knee stockings with an elastic band around the top and choose airplanes over automobiles for travel. These instructions help prevent DVT and promote blood flow.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should provide the following discharge instructions to the client diagnosed with DVT:

1. Avoid leafy green vegetables and notify the healthcare provider of red or brown urine. This is important because leafy green vegetables contain vitamin K, which can interfere with the effectiveness of certain blood-thinning medications used to treat DVT. Red or brown urine may indicate blood in the urine, which could be a sign of a more serious condition.
2. Wear knee stockings with an elastic band around the top. Compression stockings can help prevent blood clots by applying pressure to the legs and promoting blood flow.
3. Staying at home is best, but if traveling, airplanes are better than automobiles. Air travel can increase the risk of DVT due to prolonged sitting, but airplanes tend to have better leg room and allow for more movement compared to automobiles.