Question

Outline the risk factors for the development of Venous thromboembolism (VTE). Discuss the anticoagulants used in the treatment of VTE and how these drugs are monitored. Include in your summary the nurse’s role in prevention of VTE in high risk patients.

Answer 1

risk factors include :

Age

Bed rest

Congestive heart failure

estrogen

indwelling catheters

inflammatory conditions

obesity

smoking

Anticoagulants or blood thinners are widely used in the treatment of Vein thrombosis treatment. These medicines can be injected or can be given as pills and help in decreasing the blood's ability to clot. Depending on how much clotting occurs in one's blood, Doctors might suggest certain tests like Ultrasound, Venography, MRI scans, etc.

Few examples of Blood thinners are Enoxaparin, Dalteparin, or fondaparinux.

Apart from Blood thinners, Clot busters for people with a serious type of VTE can also be suggested by Doctors. They are also called Thrombolytics. These help in breaking up clots quickly.

These drugs are usually monitored by APTTActivated partial thromboplastin time and/or Anti factor Xa level.

Nurses have the opportunity to provide intensive care. The absolute treatment of VTE is determined by doctors, Nurses have the responsibility for primary prevention. This challenging topic has been closely examined by scholars. Several studies have stated that clinical nurses play a pivotal role in thromboprophylaxis through patient evaluation, risk stratification, information gathering, and by providing recommendations, and implementation.