Week One Assignment Questions
What lab value is used to titrate heparin infusion?
Activated partial thromboplastin clotting time (aPTT)
How do thrombolytics work?
they dissolve clots
How do antiplatelets work?
they prevent platelets from sticking to stents
How do anticoagulants work?
they thin the blood to prevent clots and stop clots from getting bigger
What is monitored in patients receiving warfarin?
PT (prothrombin time) and INR (international normalized ratio)
What is titration?
Slow increase of medication to find the right does for the patient over a certain period of time
What is used to guide titration in patients receiving heparin?
aPTT
Which factor is an absolute contraindication to receiving a thrombolytic?
(a) uncontrolled hypertension
What are not contraindications to receiving a thrombolytic?
- ischemic stroke - appendectomy in the past - controlled hypertension
What factors are contraindications to receiving a thrombolytic?
- pregnancy - recent gastrointestinal bleed - hemorrhagic stroke - a known bleeding disorder - recent major surgery or trauma - history of intracranial vessel malformation - uncontrolled hypertension
What is monitored with all anticoagulants but does not impact titration?
hemoglobin