When taking care of a pt with a known DVT, what are their restrictions? Can they still ambulate? Elevate their leg? What should be avoided? Warm/cold compress?
NeoPediRN 945 Posts Specializes in Pediatrics, ER. Has 6 years experience. Aug 2, 2011 We have them stay off the extremity and keep it elevated. No ice or heat. No pneumatic compression device to that extremity if it's a leg. No IV/blood draws if it's an arm. Dose with heparin SC or drip initially. Monitor for signs of a PE.
MeTheRN, BSN, MSN, RN 228 Posts Specializes in Neurosurgical ICU. Aug 2, 2011 We have them stay off the extremity and keep it elevated. No ice or heat. No pneumatic compression device to that extremity if it's a leg. No IV/blood draws if it's an arm. Dose with heparin SC or drip initially. Monitor for signs of a PE.If this pt has no gait trouble, would you allow them to use the bathroom in the pt's room?
PediLove2147, BSN, RN 649 Posts Specializes in Pediatric Cardiology. Has 7 years experience. Aug 2, 2011 When I had a DVT/PE I was able to use the bathroom. I was hooked up to heparin and just brought it with me. I am so glad I didn't have to use the bedpan!
MeTheRN, BSN, MSN, RN 228 Posts Specializes in Neurosurgical ICU. Aug 2, 2011 I had a pt die spontaneously of a PE with a known DVT...it wasn't on my shift but it really upset me. I realized I didn't know much about what you do after you already have a DVT. All my books just talk about prevention and the heparin/coumadin treatment but not much about restrictions otherwise.
I<3H2O, BSN, RN 298 Posts Specializes in Home Health. Aug 2, 2011 On my floor, we used to do strict bedrest with a bedpan and everything and a heparin gtt. Same floor 6 years later, they are on bedrest with BRP, getting Coumadin PO and Lovenox SQ.
A&OxNone, MSN, RN 209 Posts Specializes in ER, Pediatric Transplant, PICU. Has 7 years experience. Aug 2, 2011 I actually remember reading a thread here recently about differnt hospital's policies on this. From what I could tell, policies and theories on this are very different from hospital to hospital.
ICU, RN, BSN, B.S. 192 Posts Specializes in Medical/Telemetry. Now ICU. Aug 2, 2011 SQ Heparin or heparin gtt. No SCDs (venodyne boots). Limit movement of the leg. Initial bedrest. Obv no squeezing of the calf.
NeoPediRN 945 Posts Specializes in Pediatrics, ER. Has 6 years experience. Aug 2, 2011 If this pt has no gait trouble, would you allow them to use the bathroom in the pt's room?Yes, but bathroom privileges only.
madwife2002, BSN, RN 74 Articles; 4,777 Posts Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN. Has 26 years experience. Aug 2, 2011 I would follow your policy and procedure from your hospital
xtxrn, ASN, RN 4,266 Posts Aug 3, 2011 I had a pt die spontaneously of a PE with a known DVT...it wasn't on my shift but it really upset me. I realized I didn't know much about what you do after you already have a DVT. All my books just talk about prevention and the heparin/coumadin treatment but not much about restrictions otherwise.Get orders from the doc...and assess, assess, assess.....if ANYTHING changes, call the doc.... :)
#1ME 64 Posts Specializes in Med/Surg. Has 3 years experience. Aug 3, 2011 BRP privileges, Heparin drip or Heparin SQ 5000 units BID, Coumadin 5 MG PO either BID or Q HS, Lovenox SQ (dose varied depending on MD, sometimes mg/kg or a standard 40 MG BID), extremity elevated, assess signs of PE, such as tachypnea, tachycardia, diaphoresis, chest pain, agitation and anxiety
