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You are treating a post femoral fracture patient with suspected deep vein thrombosis in his right upper thigh. What should be the main concern while treating and transporting the patient to the hospital?

A. Immobilize the right leg and apply hot packs to the suspected occlusion site to improve distal circulation

B. Allow the patient to assume a position of comfort and monitor closely for a pulmonary embolism

C. Fully immobilizing the patient and monitoring distal circulation, sensation, and heart tones

D. Immobilizing the right leg and making sure it stays lower than the heart while assessing distal pulses

1 Answer

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Final answer:

In treating a patient with suspected deep vein thrombosis post-femoral fracture, the primary concern is allowing comfortable positioning while monitoring for pulmonary embolism, immobiling the right leg, and ensuring proper circulation and heart function during transport to the hospital.

Step-by-step explanation:

When treating a post-femoral fracture patient with suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the right upper thigh, the main concern should be to allow the patient to assume a position of comfort while closely monitoring for signs of a pulmonary embolism (PE). It is important to avoid dislodging the clot, which could travel to the lungs and cause a PE, potentially leading to serious complications or even death. While immobilizing the right leg, care should be taken to ensure proper circulation and monitoring of vital signs, including distal circulation and heart tones.

Immobilization should be consistent with preventing movement that may dislodge a blood clot, but extreme positions such as elevating the leg above the heart level or applying hot packs are not recommended as they might increase the risk of complications like PE. Instead, the leg should be kept in a neutral position and the healthcare provider should prepare for immediate transport to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Throughout the transport, it is imperative to monitor the patient's vital signs, oxygenation, and cardiac function to ensure prompt detection and treatment of any signs indicative of PE.

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