Which patient condition might require a nurse to elevate a patient's legs following surgery?

Elevating a patient's legs following surgery is particularly important for those at risk of thrombosis. This is due to the need for improved venous return and reduction of venous stasis in the legs. When a patient is immobilized after surgery, the blood flow can become sluggish, increasing the risk of blood clots forming in the deep veins, particularly in the legs. Elevating the legs helps enhance circulation and can assist in reducing the possibility of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

While other conditions such as edema can benefit from leg elevation as well, the specific focus on the prevention of thrombosis highlights the need for intervention in this context to promote healthy blood flow. Therefore, elevating the legs is a targeted strategy to mitigate the risk of thrombotic complications postoperatively.