Diagnosed with DVT....now what?

[MeTheRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.]

SQ Heparin or heparin gtt. No SCDs (venodyne boots). Limit movement of the leg. Initial bedrest. Obv no squeezing of the calf.

[NeoPediRN]

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]

I would follow your policy and procedure from your hospital

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

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]

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