Deep vein thrombosis in the rehabilitation client

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a potentially life-threatening problem for both medical and surgical patients. The rehabilitation client is at high risk of developing DVT. Conditions such as spinal cord injury, paraplegia, cerebrovascular accident, and total hip replacement place patients at risk for developing DVT. Unfortunately, few articles that address nursing interventions for this problem in the rehabilitation population have been written. This article examines the scope of the problem and its causes, pathogenesis, risk factors, and signs and symptoms from a rehabilitation nursing perspective.