Which assessment finding should alert the nurse to the possibility of deep vein thrombosis in a postpartum client?

Swelling in one leg is a significant indicator that may point to the possibility of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a postpartum client. DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, often in the legs, resulting in swelling, pain, and sometimes discoloration. In the postpartum period, women are at an increased risk for DVT due to factors such as decreased mobility, hormonal changes, and increased blood coagulability.

When a nurse observes unilateral swelling, it raises concern because DVT typically affects one leg rather than both. This makes it a key warning sign that further assessment and possibly intervention are necessary to rule out the presence of a clot.

Other findings such as increased appetite, pain at the incision site, or a normal temperature do not typically align with the signs of DVT. Increased appetite is generally not related to thrombotic events, while incision pain usually indicates a local surgical issue, not a thrombus formation. Normal temperature suggests the absence of systemic infection or inflammation, conditions that are not typically linked with DVT presentation. Thus, swelling in one leg stands out as an important signal in identifying a potential DVT.