Pulmonary emboli, a frequent complication of bed rest, most often arise from thrombi in the leg veins (1,2). Prevention of pulmonary embolus is dependent on early diagnosis and prevention of deep vein thrombophlebitis. Although diagnosis of deep vein thrombophlebitis can be made by such modern laboratory techniques as isotope scanning, phlebography, and ultrasound, physical assessment is an easy and effective way for nurses to screen all patients at risk of developing phlebitis. Since it is unrealistic to assess all