The nurse has completed a physical assessment on an older client. Which new assessment finding is most concerning for the presence of deep-venous thrombosis?

1. Unequal, palpable pedal pulses
2. Shortness of breath after activity
3. Swelling in one leg with pitting edema
4. Bilateral calf pain after walking up a flight of stairs


3. Swelling in one leg with pitting edema

Explanation: 1. Unequal pulses is not a good assessment finding and does indicate a pathological issue. However, DVT does not typically cause a decrease in pulse amplitude before other symptoms are apparent.
2. Shortness of breath that occurs with activity is considered a normal assessment finding in the older adult client. As long as it resolves, it is not concerning. Dyspnea at rest is concerning for pulmonary embolism.
3. The hallmark of DVT is the rapid onset of unilateral leg swelling with pitting edema.
4. Bilateral calf pain may be a normal reaction to exercise of climbing stairs or may indicate peripheral vascular disease. Unilateral pain is significant for the presence of a DVT.

Nursing

You might also like to view...

Melena, the passage of black, tarry stools, suggests bleeding from which source?

a. The perianal or rectal area b. The upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract c. The lower GI tract d. Hemorrhoids or anal fissures

Nursing

The dietician suggests that a client weighing 220 lbs. should lose 15% of the current body to meet the first weight loss goal

How many pounds does this client have to lose to meet the first weight loss goal? Record the answer rounding to the nearest whole number.

Nursing

A nurse researcher is designing an experiment. The nurse is aware that participants in the experimental group serve what function?

a. They receive a placebo. b. They receive the treatment. c. They provide a baseline for data measurement. d. None of the above are true.

Nursing

Muscle stiffness, pill-rolling activity, and bradykinesia are symptoms most likely associated with which disorder?

1. Parkinson's disease 2. Multiple sclerosis 3. Alzheimer's disease 4. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Nursing