Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Practice Exam (Latest
2025/2026) – Verified Questions, Answers &
Rationales – Galen College of Nursing
This comprehensive practice exam covers the pathophysiology, risk factors, clinical
presentation, diagnostic evaluation, pharmacologic management, nursing
interventions, and patient education for Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Each
question includes the correct answer in bold and a detailed rationale in
italics based on current evidence-based guidelines .
Section 1: Pathophysiology & Risk Factors (Questions 1-15)
Question 1:
The nurse is teaching a health awareness class. Which situation would the nurse
teach as being the highest risk factor for the development of a deep vein
thrombosis (DVT)?
A) Pregnancy
B) Inactivity
C) Aerobic exercise
D) Tight clothing
Rationale: Prolonged inactivity or immobility is a major risk factor for DVT
development. When a person is inactive for extended periods, blood flow slows
(venous stasis), which increases the tendency for blood to clot in the deep veins.
This can lead to pain in the affected leg or arm. While pregnancy increases DVT
risk, inactivity is identified as the highest risk factor among the options .
Question 2:
The nurse is planning care for a group of clients. Which client should the nurse
identify as having the greatest risk for developing deep venous thrombosis (DVT)?
,A) The client recovering from laparoscopic gallbladder surgery
B) The client admitted with new-onset type II diabetes mellitus
C) The client admitted with community-acquired pneumonia
D) The client recovering from total knee replacement surgery
Rationale: Between 40% and 85% of clients recovering from total knee
replacement surgery develop a DVT due to the combination of the surgical
procedure itself and prolonged immobility after surgery. The inflammatory
response from major orthopedic surgery coupled with postoperative
immobilization creates a perfect environment for thrombus formation .
Question 3:
A nurse is assessing a client at risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which findings
would indicate the presence of DVT?
A) Bilateral leg swelling and redness
B) Unilateral leg edema, pain, and warmth
C) Cold, pale, and pulseless lower extremity
D) Numbness and tingling in both legs
Rationale: DVT typically presents with unilateral symptoms—swelling, pain,
redness, and warmth in a single leg due to a blood clot obstructing venous flow.
Bilateral swelling suggests a systemic issue like heart failure or kidney disease.
Cold, pulseless extremities indicate arterial occlusion (peripheral artery disease).
Numbness and tingling suggest neuropathy .
Question 4:
The nurse is completing an assessment on a newly admitted client. What finding
would alert the nurse that the client may be experiencing a deep venous
thrombosis (DVT)?
A) Shortness of breath after activity
B) Two-plus palpable pedal pulses
C) Swelling in one leg with pitting edema
D) Sharp pain in both legs
,Rationale: Manifestations of DVT include unilateral swelling with pitting edema
because the clot obstructs venous return from the affected leg. Shortness of breath
after activity is not a specific DVT finding (though it may suggest pulmonary
embolism). Palpable pedal pulses are normal findings. Pain in DVT is typically
described as dull and aching, not sharp .
Question 5:
Which client is at highest risk for developing a DVT?
A) A 55-year-old male who walks daily for exercise
B) A 30-year-old pregnant woman on bed rest
C) A 25-year-old marathon runner with a minor leg injury
D) A 40-year-old woman taking oral contraceptives who does yoga
Rationale: Pregnancy is a hypercoagulable state, and bed rest adds the risk factor
of venous stasis. The combination of pregnancy-induced hypercoagulability and
immobility creates a high-risk situation for DVT. The other clients either have fewer
risk factors or are more active .
Question 6:
Three pathological factors, known as Virchow's triad, are associated with
thrombus formation. These include all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Circulatory stasis
B) Arterial vasodilation
C) Endothelial (vessel) injury
D) Hypercoagulability
*Rationale: Virchow's triad consists of: (1) circulatory stasis (slowed blood flow),
(2) endothelial/vessel injury (damage to the vessel wall), and (3)
hypercoagulability (increased tendency for blood to clot). Arterial vasodilation is
not part of Virchow's triad .*
Question 7:
What characteristic of veins increases the risk for the development of a
thrombus?
, A) Low blood flow
B) High pressure
C) Retrograde blood flow
D) Presence of plaque
Rationale: Venous thrombi tend to occur at sites where blood flow is low (venous
stasis). Unlike the arterial system with its higher pressure and pulsatile flow, veins
have lower pressure and slower flow, which allows blood to pool and clot more
readily. High pressure in veins does not stimulate thrombus formation .
Question 8:
A client is post-operative day 1 following abdominal surgery. Which nursing
intervention is most important for preventing DVT?
A) Encourage early ambulation
B) Maintain strict bed rest
C) Limit oral fluid intake
D) Apply cold compresses to the legs
Rationale: Early ambulation is the most effective nursing intervention for
preventing DVT because walking uses the calf muscle pump to promote venous
return and prevent blood stasis. Bed rest increases DVT risk. Adequate hydration
(not fluid restriction) helps prevent hemoconcentration. Cold compresses do not
prevent DVT .
Question 9:
Which statement correctly describes the pathophysiology of DVT formation?
A) DVT occurs only in patients with inherited clotting disorders
B) DVT results from a combination of venous stasis, vessel injury, and
hypercoagulability
C) DVT is caused by arterial plaque rupture similar to heart attack
D) DVT is an inflammatory condition of the superficial veins only
Rationale: DVT results from Virchow's triad—a combination of venous stasis (slow
blood flow), endothelial injury (damage to the vessel wall), and hypercoagulability
2025/2026) – Verified Questions, Answers &
Rationales – Galen College of Nursing
This comprehensive practice exam covers the pathophysiology, risk factors, clinical
presentation, diagnostic evaluation, pharmacologic management, nursing
interventions, and patient education for Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Each
question includes the correct answer in bold and a detailed rationale in
italics based on current evidence-based guidelines .
Section 1: Pathophysiology & Risk Factors (Questions 1-15)
Question 1:
The nurse is teaching a health awareness class. Which situation would the nurse
teach as being the highest risk factor for the development of a deep vein
thrombosis (DVT)?
A) Pregnancy
B) Inactivity
C) Aerobic exercise
D) Tight clothing
Rationale: Prolonged inactivity or immobility is a major risk factor for DVT
development. When a person is inactive for extended periods, blood flow slows
(venous stasis), which increases the tendency for blood to clot in the deep veins.
This can lead to pain in the affected leg or arm. While pregnancy increases DVT
risk, inactivity is identified as the highest risk factor among the options .
Question 2:
The nurse is planning care for a group of clients. Which client should the nurse
identify as having the greatest risk for developing deep venous thrombosis (DVT)?
,A) The client recovering from laparoscopic gallbladder surgery
B) The client admitted with new-onset type II diabetes mellitus
C) The client admitted with community-acquired pneumonia
D) The client recovering from total knee replacement surgery
Rationale: Between 40% and 85% of clients recovering from total knee
replacement surgery develop a DVT due to the combination of the surgical
procedure itself and prolonged immobility after surgery. The inflammatory
response from major orthopedic surgery coupled with postoperative
immobilization creates a perfect environment for thrombus formation .
Question 3:
A nurse is assessing a client at risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which findings
would indicate the presence of DVT?
A) Bilateral leg swelling and redness
B) Unilateral leg edema, pain, and warmth
C) Cold, pale, and pulseless lower extremity
D) Numbness and tingling in both legs
Rationale: DVT typically presents with unilateral symptoms—swelling, pain,
redness, and warmth in a single leg due to a blood clot obstructing venous flow.
Bilateral swelling suggests a systemic issue like heart failure or kidney disease.
Cold, pulseless extremities indicate arterial occlusion (peripheral artery disease).
Numbness and tingling suggest neuropathy .
Question 4:
The nurse is completing an assessment on a newly admitted client. What finding
would alert the nurse that the client may be experiencing a deep venous
thrombosis (DVT)?
A) Shortness of breath after activity
B) Two-plus palpable pedal pulses
C) Swelling in one leg with pitting edema
D) Sharp pain in both legs
,Rationale: Manifestations of DVT include unilateral swelling with pitting edema
because the clot obstructs venous return from the affected leg. Shortness of breath
after activity is not a specific DVT finding (though it may suggest pulmonary
embolism). Palpable pedal pulses are normal findings. Pain in DVT is typically
described as dull and aching, not sharp .
Question 5:
Which client is at highest risk for developing a DVT?
A) A 55-year-old male who walks daily for exercise
B) A 30-year-old pregnant woman on bed rest
C) A 25-year-old marathon runner with a minor leg injury
D) A 40-year-old woman taking oral contraceptives who does yoga
Rationale: Pregnancy is a hypercoagulable state, and bed rest adds the risk factor
of venous stasis. The combination of pregnancy-induced hypercoagulability and
immobility creates a high-risk situation for DVT. The other clients either have fewer
risk factors or are more active .
Question 6:
Three pathological factors, known as Virchow's triad, are associated with
thrombus formation. These include all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Circulatory stasis
B) Arterial vasodilation
C) Endothelial (vessel) injury
D) Hypercoagulability
*Rationale: Virchow's triad consists of: (1) circulatory stasis (slowed blood flow),
(2) endothelial/vessel injury (damage to the vessel wall), and (3)
hypercoagulability (increased tendency for blood to clot). Arterial vasodilation is
not part of Virchow's triad .*
Question 7:
What characteristic of veins increases the risk for the development of a
thrombus?
, A) Low blood flow
B) High pressure
C) Retrograde blood flow
D) Presence of plaque
Rationale: Venous thrombi tend to occur at sites where blood flow is low (venous
stasis). Unlike the arterial system with its higher pressure and pulsatile flow, veins
have lower pressure and slower flow, which allows blood to pool and clot more
readily. High pressure in veins does not stimulate thrombus formation .
Question 8:
A client is post-operative day 1 following abdominal surgery. Which nursing
intervention is most important for preventing DVT?
A) Encourage early ambulation
B) Maintain strict bed rest
C) Limit oral fluid intake
D) Apply cold compresses to the legs
Rationale: Early ambulation is the most effective nursing intervention for
preventing DVT because walking uses the calf muscle pump to promote venous
return and prevent blood stasis. Bed rest increases DVT risk. Adequate hydration
(not fluid restriction) helps prevent hemoconcentration. Cold compresses do not
prevent DVT .
Question 9:
Which statement correctly describes the pathophysiology of DVT formation?
A) DVT occurs only in patients with inherited clotting disorders
B) DVT results from a combination of venous stasis, vessel injury, and
hypercoagulability
C) DVT is caused by arterial plaque rupture similar to heart attack
D) DVT is an inflammatory condition of the superficial veins only
Rationale: DVT results from Virchow's triad—a combination of venous stasis (slow
blood flow), endothelial injury (damage to the vessel wall), and hypercoagulability
