Question

The nurse understands that an immobile patient is at high risk of thrombus formation. Which factors may contribute to the risk of thrombus formation? Select all that apply.

1 Alteration in body weight
2 Alteration or slowing of blood flow
3 Damage to the wall of the blood vessels
4 Alteration in the patient's nutritional status
5 Alteration of the constituents in the blood

Answer 1

An immobile patient is at high risk of thrombus formation due to factors such as alteration or slowing of blood flow, damage to the wall of blood vessels, and changes in the blood composition such as increased platelet count.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse understands that an immobile patient is at high risk of thrombus formation. Factors that may contribute to the risk of thrombus formation include:

• Alteration or slowing of blood flow: Immobility can lead to venous stasis, where blood in the veins, particularly in the legs, remains stationary for extended periods. This can cause blood to clot.
• Damage to the wall of the blood vessels: Vessel damage to the endothelial lining activates the clotting mechanism, which may lead to thrombosis.
• Alteration of the constituents in the blood: Conditions such as thrombocytosis, characterized by excessive numbers of platelets, increase the risk of excessive clot formation.

Other factors not explicitly mentioned in the options but potentially relevant to thrombus risk include obesity, genetic predispositions (familial thrombophilia), certain diseases (like lupus and sickle cell disease), and traumatic injuries leading to immobility (such as hip fractures).