Final answer:
Avoiding compression stockings is not recommended for preventing DVT. Instead, wearing compression stockings is advised as it helps to improve blood flow in the legs and reduce the risk of blood clot formation, especially during long-haul flights or periods of extended immobility.
Step-by-step explanation:
When educating your patient on how to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), it is recommended to avoid sitting still for long periods, to walk around several times during the day or move the legs frequently, and if anticoagulants have been prescribed, to monitor and perhaps limit intake of foods high in vitamin K. However, it is not recommended to avoid compression stockings. On the contrary, wearing graduated compression stockings is an important preventative strategy against DVT, particularly during situations such as long-haul flights where mobility is restricted. The pressure from the stockings helps the veins move blood more efficiently, which reduces the risk of clot formation.
Antônio and Ahaya's case study highlights that individuals with conditions like heart failure are at an increased risk of DVT and should take precautions such as walking and exercising the legs regularly, especially during long flights or periods of immobility. Elastic bandages or compression stockings can provide pressure to assist the veins in sending blood back to the heart and prevent blood accumulation in the legs.