Tranexamic Acid

I'm a nursing student, just starting my rotation on Ortho. I'm having trouble understanding why this drug, Tranexamic Acid, is used so much on the unit. From my understanding it helps the normal clotting process, preventing excess bleeding after surgery. My question is? Wouldn't it then increase your risk for DVT? Any thoughts? How would you explain to a patient what the purpose of the medication is? My co assign nurse was having problems really finding a way to put it in laymans terms.