Question

When a patient with a documented LE DVT below the knee is not treated with anticoagulation and does not have an IVC filter and is prescribed out of bed mobility by the physician, the PT should consult with the medical team regarding mobilization versus keeping the pt on bed rest

Answer 1

Consultation with the medical team is essential before mobilizing a patient with lower extremity DVT who is not on anticoagulants or does not have an IVC filter, due to the risk of pulmonary embolism.

Step-by-step explanation:

When dealing with a patient who has a documented lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) below the knee and who is not on anticoagulation therapy nor has an Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filter, a physical therapist (PT) must consult with the medical team before proceeding with out-of-bed mobility.

This consultation is important because mobilizing a patient with DVT increases the risk of the clot dislodging and causing a pulmonary embolism (PE), which can be life-threatening.

The complications of PE include lung damage and can be fatal, as it disrupts pulmonary circulation by blocking the flow of blood to the lungs. Factors such as heart failure can further increase the risk of DVT as it impairs the pumping action of the heart, contributing to blood pooling and clot formation.