The nurse assesses for Homans' sign by:
1. Extending the foot and inquiring about calf pain.
2. Extending the leg and inquiring about foot pain.
3. Flexing the knee and inquiring about thigh pain.
4. Dorsiflexing the foot and inquiring about calf pain.
4
Rationale:
1. The pain is caused by stretching of inflamed vessels in the calf. Extending the foot and inquiring about the calf would exert a stretch on the vessels.
2. Extending the leg and inquiring about foot pain is an incorrect assessment procedure for Homans' sign.
3. Flexing the knee and inquiring about thigh pain is an incorrect assessment procedure for Homans' sign.
4. Dorsiflexing the foot and inquiring about calf pain is the correct way to assess for Homans' sign.
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