The postsurgical patient has a painful and swollen right calf that appears to be larger than the calf of the left leg.What is the nurse assessing for when she flexes the patient's right leg and dorsiflexes the foot?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse is assessing for a positive Homans' sign, which is indicated by pain in the calf upon dorsiflexion of the foot. This can be a sign of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition that can occur post-surgery due to prolonged immobility.

The Postsurgical Patient Has a Painful and Swollen Right Calf