Patho:
R knee replaced d/t chronic osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is when the cartilage is worn down over time and use, causing joint pain, which NSAIDs are usual use to manage this symptom. This is a chronic condition, which in turn means that most likely R.J. is taking Meloxicam, an NSAID, chronically, which put him at risk of developing hepatotoxicity. The liver clears out toxins and also is essential in clotting, and when it is damage it is unable to function properly, increasing levels of chemical as well as appropriate clotting mechanisms. This put R.J. at risk for bleeding even more, as he is given heparin, an anticoagulant, to help prevent DVT that could potentially lead to a PE. R.J is at a high risk of developing DVT d/t surgery, not ambulating and was also a former smoker, which hits all three sides of Virchow’s Triad and developing a thrombosis. Stated in his HER, he was sitting in his recliner for large amount of time d/t pain, and after the surgery wasn’t interested in working with PT. The surgery caused endothelial damage with triggers the body to repair the site, calling for clotting factors, and to finish the triangle he is a former smoker, which makes him hypercoagulable d/t the chemicals and endothelial damage.