A 37-year-old postpartum client explains to the nurse she had a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after the birth of her last child. To help prevent a DVT during this hospital stay, the nurse should encourage the client to do all of the following EXCEPT

  • wear thigh-high a nti-embolism stockings as much as possible.
  • increase daily fluid intake.
  • avoid ambulating except to get up to use the restroom.
  • prop legs up on pillows while sitting in bed.
Number 3 is correct.
In order to prevent a DVT, the nurse should encourage the client to wear anti-embolism stockings as much as possible, increase fluid intake, and prop legs up while sitting. The nurse should encourage the client to avoid crossing her legs while sitting and to be active and ambulate as much as possible. Inactivity increases DVT risk because the blood in the legs may pool.