American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

How many points indicate that a DVT is unlikely according to the Well's score?

1. 0-1 points

2. 2-3 points

3. 4-5 points

4. 6-7 points

The correct answer is: 0-1 points

The Well's score is a clinical tool used to assess the probability of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It is based on a point system where different clinical criteria are assigned specific points. A lower score indicates a lower probability of DVT. In this scoring system, a score of 0-1 points suggests that a DVT is unlikely. Specifically, if a patient scores in this range, it often leads to recommendations for additional testing or consideration of alternative diagnoses before confirming DVT. Conversely, higher scores, such as 2-3 points or above, indicate a moderate to high probability of DVT, warranting a more proactive diagnostic approach, typically involving imaging studies. Thus, understanding the Well's score assists clinicians in making informed decisions about the necessity for further investigation in patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of DVT.