Word parts
What it means
A thrombosisthrom-BOH-sisThe forming of a blood clot (a thrombus) inside a blood vessel or the heart.thromb/o clot-osis conditionFull entry that forms in one of the large veins deep in the body, usually in the calf or thigh. Blood that moves slowly (bed rest, long travel, after surgery), damage to a vein wall and blood that clots too easily all raise the risk. The leg may be swollen, warm, red and painful on one side, but many clots cause no signs. A piece can break off and travel to the lungs as a pulmonary embolismPUL-muh-nair-ee EM-buh-liz-umA blockage of an artery in the lungs, usually by a blood clot that has traveled there from elsewhere in the body.pulmon/o lung-ary relating toembol/o plug-ism conditionFull entry .
For the nurse
Help prevent it with early walking, leg exercises, fluids, compression devices and anticoagulantan-tee-koh-AG-yoo-luntA drug that slows the blood's ability to form clots.anti- againstcoagul/o clotting-ant an agent that doesFull entry as ordered. Compare both legs for swelling, warmth and pain, and do not massage a leg with a known or suspected clot. Report sudden shortness of breath or chest pain at once.
In a chart
"Right calf 3 cm larger than left, warm and tender; venous duplex ultrasound ordered."
At a glance
| Abbreviations | DVT; VTE (venous thromboembolism: DVT and pulmonary embolism together) |
|---|---|
| Spanish | trombosis venosa profunda |
| Also written | deep-vein thrombosis, DVT, DVTs, deep venous thrombosis |
Related terms
thrombosis
The forming of a blood clot (a thrombus) inside a blood vessel or the heart.
anticoagulant
A drug that slows the blood's ability to form clots.
pulmonary embolism
A blockage of an artery in the lungs, usually by a blood clot that has traveled there from elsewhere in the body.
embolism
The blocking of a blood vessel by a mass carried there in the blood (an embolus), such as a clot, fat or an air bubble.
vein
A blood vessel that carries blood back toward the heart.
heparin
An anticoagulant drug, given by injection or IV, that keeps blood clots from forming or growing.