Unit 2 - Venous Disorders

Question 1

venous return to the heart

Answer 1

Respiratory Pump
Muscular Pump
One-way valves

Question 2

Thrombophlebitis

Answer 2

inflammation of a vein due to a blood clot (“thrombus”)

Question 3

Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT)

Answer 3

a blood clot in one of the “deep veins. Common site of formation is in the LE’s.

Question 4

DVT acute signs

Answer 4

Redness
Swelling
Heat
Pain (decreases with elevation)
Positive Homan’s sign

Question 5

DVT causes

Answer 5

• Venous Insufficiency with Venous Stasis (Right-sided CHF, Chronic Liver Disease, Saphenous Graft - CABG)
• Hypercoagulation syndromes (Oral contraceptives, Tamoxifen Induced)
• physical inactivity/immobility
• pulmonary embolism (10% are fatal)
• stroke

Question 6

saddle embolus

Answer 6

blocks both right and left pulmonary arteries

Question 7

pulmonary embolism

Answer 7

Microemboli – small clots that break lose and eventually enter the pulmonary circulation and can lead to pulmonary distress
Pulmonary angiography can be used for diagnosis
Treated with anti-coagulants

Question 8

stroke

Answer 8

“paradoxical embolus”
Clot moves from R to L side of the heart
via a septal defect

Question 9

D-dimer test

Answer 9

blood test that detects fibrin

fragment in the blood, suggesting blood clots

Question 10

DVT treatment

Answer 10

Don’t smoke
Avoid oral contraceptives
Avoid prolonged immobility (OT/PT ??)
Stay well hydrated
Maintain a healthy weight
Compression stockings during periods of forced immobility (“hospital”)
• Intermittent pneumatic compression
Meds - anticoagulants

Question 11

stasis ulcers

Answer 11

Blood “pools”
Usually on medial side of the leg
Represent > 70% of chronic wounds

Question 12

chronic venous insufficiency

Answer 12

seen with R sided CHF, can cause DVT’s and stasis ulcers

Question 13

cyanotic pedal edema

Answer 13

tightness and fullness in legs, ankles, and feet

decreases with elevation