DVT & PE Flashcards
How is superficial thrombophlebitis defined?
less severe and on the surface of the skin
How is DVT thrombophlebitis defined?
in the muscle, life-threatening, & an inflammatory condition
What are the 3 main causes of a clot forming?
circulatory stasis, vascular damage, & hypercoagulability
What is happening in circulatory stasis? What are 2 examples?
reduce blood flow & cause RBCs to clump together
Examples: atrial fibrillation, immobility
What is happening in vascular damage? What are 2 examples?
blood vessel injury & starts inflammatory process
examples: trauma & orthopedic surgery
What is happening in hypercoagulability? What are 2 examples?
increased clotting
sepsis & smoking
What are the 2 medications that are risk factors for DVT?
estrogen & birth control
What 6 cardiovascular conditions are risk factors for DVT?
A-fib, CVA, HTN, CAD, MI, & PVD
What are the 6 key symptoms that are seen with DVT?
asymptomatic, pain, tenderness, erythema, warmth, & edema
What is the main diagnostic test for when a patient has a DVT?
obtaining a positive D-dimer & confirming with an ultrasound
What is performed to identify specific pain? What do you need to consider if a DVT is present?
Homan’s sign
Do not perform if a DVT is present
What is a positive Homan’s sign?
pain in the posterior calf or knee with forced dorsiflexion of the foot
What type of pain is seen in patients who have pulmonary embolism?
sharp upper abdomen/thoracic pain
What are the 3 types of breathing patterns seen in pulmonary embolism?
dyspnea, crackles, rhonchi
What type of cough is seen with pulmonary embolism?
cough with hemoptysis
What lab result for PT indicates the presence of blood clots?
less than 11 seconds
What lab result for aPTT indicates the presence of blood clots?
less than 30 seconds
What is the difference between a V/Q scan & a spiral CT?
V/Q scan would be given if a patient is allergic to the CT contrast
What 3 things can cause a blockage in pulmonary embolus?
air embolus, fat, & thrombus
What are the 5 prevention measures used for VTE prophylaxis?
- medications like heparin
- positioning like elevating the feet
- movement
- TED hoses
- SCDs
Which 3 tests would be ordered if someone were suspected of a pulmonary embolus?
D. dimer, CT scan with contrast or V/Q scan, and Doppler ultrasound.
If a patient has low results for their aPTT, which 2 things would we need to do with their heparin?
Give bolus & increase dose
If a patient has high results for their aPTT, which 2 things could you do with their heparin?
hold or decrease the dose
If aPTT is within range, how many times does it need to be within range for it to be therapeutic?
2 days
Which 2 medications do you not take with Lovenox?
aspirin & NSAIDs
What is the therapeutic INR level?
2-3
Which patients would you not use direct thrombin inhibitor medications in?
renal disease
When is the antidote for direct thrombin inhibitors used?
life-threatening situations
What is the antidote for Factor Xa inhibitors?
Andexanet alfa (Andexxa, Portola)
What is the patient at risk of if suddenly discontinued no substitution in place when on a Factor Xa Inhibitor?
risk of an ischemic event
Thrombolytic drugs are known as what?
Clot busters
NSAIDs & anticoagulants are not what?
clot busters
