Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common medical problem that affects 200,000-400,000 people in the United States each year (Anthony, 2013, p. 95). Nurses must be aware of the potential for DVT risk from pediatric to geriatric populations. The risk of DVT is associated with venous stasis, endothelial injury, and hypercoagulability (McNamara, 2014). These risks occur in both healthy people and those with disease states. The development of a DVT may lead to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism (PE). Understanding the pathophysiology of DVT formation can help nurses assess risk and assist in prevention. Early diagnosis of a DVT is important to minimize the growth and impact of the clot. Anticoagulation medications are currently the most effective treatment for DVT. Several medications are available for treatment, but not all work on the same stages of the clotting cascade (D’Alesandro, 2016)