Which of the following is a manifestation of venous thromboembolism (VTE)?

Which of the following is a manifestation of venous thromboembolism (VTE)?

• A. Reddened, warm, hard, tender, superficial vein
• B. Increased peripheral pulses with warm skin
• C. Cool, cyanotic skin with weak pulses
• D. No symptoms at all

Answer: (A)

The main concept here is recognizing how venous thromboembolism can present in the veins. Superficial thrombophlebitis—the venous thrombus in a superficial vein—causes a localized area that is reddened, warm, tender, and often feels hard or cord-like along the vein. That combination of warmth, redness, tenderness, and a palpable, ropey vein is the classic sign of a superficial vein clot and fits VTE. The other descriptions don’t align with VTE. A warm skin with strong pulses can occur with inflammation or infection but not the thrombosed, cord-like vein typical of VTE. Cool, cyanotic skin with weak pulses points to arterial insufficiency, not venous disease. And having no symptoms would be unusual for a VTE, which typically presents with some localized signs. So the description of a reddened, warm, hard, tender, superficial vein best demonstrates a manifestation of VTE.

The main concept here is recognizing how venous thromboembolism can present in the veins. Superficial thrombophlebitis—the venous thrombus in a superficial vein—causes a localized area that is reddened, warm, tender, and often feels hard or cord-like along the vein. That combination of warmth, redness, tenderness, and a palpable, ropey vein is the classic sign of a superficial vein clot and fits VTE.

The other descriptions don’t align with VTE. A warm skin with strong pulses can occur with inflammation or infection but not the thrombosed, cord-like vein typical of VTE. Cool, cyanotic skin with weak pulses points to arterial insufficiency, not venous disease. And having no symptoms would be unusual for a VTE, which typically presents with some localized signs.

So the description of a reddened, warm, hard, tender, superficial vein best demonstrates a manifestation of VTE.