DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT)
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Explain the deep vein thrombosis (DVT) - ANSWER-Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in your
body, usually in your legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg pain or swelling but
also can occur with no symptoms.
What are the signs and symptoms? - ANSWER-- Swelling in the affected leg. Rarely,
there's swelling in both legs.
- Pain in your leg. The pain often starts in your calf and can feel like cramping or
soreness.
- Red or discolored skin on the leg.
- A feeling of warmth in the affected leg
What are the risk factors? - ANSWER-- Age. Being older than 60 increases your risk
of DVT, though it can occur at any age.
- Sitting for long periods of time, such as when driving or flying. When your legs
remain still for hours, your calf muscles don't contract. Muscle contractions normally
help blood circulate.
- Prolonged bed rest, such as during a long hospital stay, or paralysis. Blood clots
can form in the calves of your legs if your calf muscles don't move for long periods.
- Injury or surgery. Injury to your veins or surgery can increase the risk of blood clots.
- Pregnancy. Pregnancy increases the pressure in the veins in your pelvis and legs.
Women with an inherited clotting disorder are especially at risk. The risk of blood
clots from pregnancy can continue for up to six weeks after you have your baby.
- Birth control pills (oral contraceptives) or hormone replacement therapy. Both can
increase your blood's ability to clot.
- Being overweight or obese. Being overweight increases the pressure in the veins in
your pelvis and legs.
- Smoking. Smoking affects blood clotting and circulation, which can increase your
risk of DVT.
- Cancer. Some forms of cancer increase substances in your blood that cause your
blood to clot. Some forms of cancer treatment also increase the risk of blood clots.
- Heart failure. This increases your risk of DVT and pulmonary embolism. Because
people with heart failure have limited heart and lung function, the symptoms caused
by even a small pulmonary embolism are more noticeable.
- Inflammatory bowel disease. Bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease or
ulcerative colitis, increase the risk of DVT.
- A personal or family history of DVT or PE. If you or someone in your family has had
one or both of these, you might be at greater risk of developing DVT.
- Genetics. Some people inherit genetic risk factors or disorders, such
What labs should you monitor? - ANSWER-D-dimer blood test. D dimer is a type of
protein produced by blood clots. Almost all people with severe DVT have increased
blood levels of D dimer. A normal result on a D-dimer test often can help rule out PE.
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Explain the deep vein thrombosis (DVT) - ANSWER-Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in your
body, usually in your legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg pain or swelling but
also can occur with no symptoms.
What are the signs and symptoms? - ANSWER-- Swelling in the affected leg. Rarely,
there's swelling in both legs.
- Pain in your leg. The pain often starts in your calf and can feel like cramping or
soreness.
- Red or discolored skin on the leg.
- A feeling of warmth in the affected leg
What are the risk factors? - ANSWER-- Age. Being older than 60 increases your risk
of DVT, though it can occur at any age.
- Sitting for long periods of time, such as when driving or flying. When your legs
remain still for hours, your calf muscles don't contract. Muscle contractions normally
help blood circulate.
- Prolonged bed rest, such as during a long hospital stay, or paralysis. Blood clots
can form in the calves of your legs if your calf muscles don't move for long periods.
- Injury or surgery. Injury to your veins or surgery can increase the risk of blood clots.
- Pregnancy. Pregnancy increases the pressure in the veins in your pelvis and legs.
Women with an inherited clotting disorder are especially at risk. The risk of blood
clots from pregnancy can continue for up to six weeks after you have your baby.
- Birth control pills (oral contraceptives) or hormone replacement therapy. Both can
increase your blood's ability to clot.
- Being overweight or obese. Being overweight increases the pressure in the veins in
your pelvis and legs.
- Smoking. Smoking affects blood clotting and circulation, which can increase your
risk of DVT.
- Cancer. Some forms of cancer increase substances in your blood that cause your
blood to clot. Some forms of cancer treatment also increase the risk of blood clots.
- Heart failure. This increases your risk of DVT and pulmonary embolism. Because
people with heart failure have limited heart and lung function, the symptoms caused
by even a small pulmonary embolism are more noticeable.
- Inflammatory bowel disease. Bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease or
ulcerative colitis, increase the risk of DVT.
- A personal or family history of DVT or PE. If you or someone in your family has had
one or both of these, you might be at greater risk of developing DVT.
- Genetics. Some people inherit genetic risk factors or disorders, such
What labs should you monitor? - ANSWER-D-dimer blood test. D dimer is a type of
protein produced by blood clots. Almost all people with severe DVT have increased
blood levels of D dimer. A normal result on a D-dimer test often can help rule out PE.
