A patient with a history of recurrent venous micro emboli is scheduled for an insertion of a Greenfield filter. What should the nurse explain to the patient about this procedure?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Greenfield filter is a type of inferior vena cava (IVC) filter designed to catch and prevent pulmonary emboli (blood clots traveling towards the lungs) while maintaining blood flow through the vena cava. It can indeed be inserted under fluoroscopic guidance (A), typically involves low mortality rates (B), and may only require local anesthesia (D). The filter is designed to be a permanent solution, not requiring replacement every 6 months (C is incorrect), and its primary function is to trap emboli while allowing continued blood flow through the vena cava (E).

A Patient with a History of Recurrent Venous Micro Emboli