Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN) Practice Exam

What are common signs and symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?

1. Pain, swelling, redness, and + Homan's sign

2. Fever, chills, and increased heart rate

3. Loss of sensation and tingling

4. Dry cough and fever

The correct answer is: Pain, swelling, redness, and + Homan's sign

The presence of pain, swelling, redness, and a positive Homan's sign are indeed well-established signs and symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT typically occurs in a deep vein, often in the legs, and causes localized symptoms. Pain may be felt in the affected leg, often described as a cramping or soreness. Swelling typically occurs as blood flow is obstructed, leading to an accumulation of fluid in the affected area. Redness may accompany these symptoms as a result of inflammation. A positive Homan's sign, which involves increased pain in the calf upon dorsiflexion of the foot, is a traditional diagnostic test for DVT, although it is not considered highly reliable on its own. The other options—fever, chills, increased heart rate, loss of sensation and tingling, and dry cough—are more general symptoms that may relate to other medical conditions. Fever and increased heart rate could suggest an infection or other systemic condition rather than DVT specifically. Loss of sensation and tingling points towards neurological issues, while a dry cough could indicate respiratory problems or pulmonary embolism but is not indicative of DVT itself. Thus, the first set of symptoms is most closely associated with the diagnosis of deep vein