You are caring for an unconscious patient in PCC. Part of your care plan is to perform foot pumps, ankle circles, and leg raises. These exercises are performed at what interval to prevent which condition?

You are caring for an unconscious patient in PCC. Part of your care plan is to perform foot pumps, ankle circles, and leg raises. These exercises are performed at what interval to prevent which condition?

• A. Q4H to prevent DVT
• B. Q2H to prevent DVT
• C. Q1H to prevent DVT
• D. Q8H to prevent DVT

Answer: (B)

Keeping blood moving in the legs is essential when someone is unconscious and unable to walk. Foot pumps, ankle circles, and leg raises mimic the muscle movement that helps squeeze veins in the calves, pushing blood back toward the heart and reducing venous stasis. When blood flow is improved this way, the risk of clot formation decreases, which lowers the chance of a deep vein thrombosis and potential pulmonary embolism. Performing these exercises every 2 hours provides a practical, consistent interval to maintain venous return during prolonged immobilization. Less frequent intervals, like every 4 or 8 hours, allow more stasis and higher risk of clots, while more frequent sessions are usually unnecessary. Thus, the recommended interval to prevent DVT is every 2 hours.

Keeping blood moving in the legs is essential when someone is unconscious and unable to walk. Foot pumps, ankle circles, and leg raises mimic the muscle movement that helps squeeze veins in the calves, pushing blood back toward the heart and reducing venous stasis. When blood flow is improved this way, the risk of clot formation decreases, which lowers the chance of a deep vein thrombosis and potential pulmonary embolism. Performing these exercises every 2 hours provides a practical, consistent interval to maintain venous return during prolonged immobilization. Less frequent intervals, like every 4 or 8 hours, allow more stasis and higher risk of clots, while more frequent sessions are usually unnecessary. Thus, the recommended interval to prevent DVT is every 2 hours.