In DVT all are seen except?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2021

Explanation

High fever is not a characteristic sign of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).
The signs of DVT are typically localized to the affected limb and include pain, swelling, tenderness, and warmth.
While a low-grade fever might be present due to inflammation from the clot, a high fever strongly suggests a different diagnosis, such as a systemic infection like cellulitis.

Option A: This is incorrect because pain, often described as a persistent cramp or 'charley horse' in the calf, is one of the most common symptoms of DVT.
Option B: This is incorrect because tenderness upon palpation along the course of the deep veins is a classic clinical sign of DVT.
Option D: This is incorrect because an elevated local temperature, or warmth of the skin over the affected area, is a common sign of the inflammation associated with DVT.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Clinical manifestations of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A key nursing responsibility is differentiating DVT from cellulitis. High fever is a major clue pointing towards cellulitis, which requires antibiotics, whereas DVT requires anticoagulants.
A critical patient safety instruction is to NEVER massage a limb suspected of having a DVT, as this can dislodge the clot and cause a pulmonary embolism (PE).
Accurate assessment, including measuring calf circumference daily, is essential for monitoring the progression or resolution of DVT.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the negative framing of the question by spotting the keyword 'except'. This means you are looking for the sign or symptom that is NOT associated with DVT.
Next, recall the classic clinical manifestations of DVT. Think about the local effects of a blood clot in a leg vein: obstruction and inflammation.
This leads to the classic signs: unilateral pain, tenderness, swelling (edema), and warmth (elevated local temperature).
Evaluate each option against this knowledge.
Options A (Pain), B (Tenderness), and D (Elevated local temperature) are all classic, expected signs of DVT.
Option C (High fever) is a systemic sign of infection and is not a typical feature of a localized DVT. Therefore, it is the correct exception.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 1 Part 3 p. 77-79

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 2 p. 63-65

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