anticoagulants
When observing a new staff nurse preparing to administer diltiazem, the charge nurse should approve which action?
Administering the drug via an infusion pump
A patient is receiving an intravenous heparin drip. Which laboratory value requires immediate action by the nurse?
Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) of 120 seconds
A bleeding patient receiving warfarin has an international normalized ratio (INR) of 6. What is the nurse's best course of action?
Administer phytonadione
A nurse is preparing to administer enoxaparin sodium to a patient for prevention of deep vein thrombosis. Which is an essential nursing intervention?
Administer the medication into subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen
The nurse is caring for a pregnant patient with a history of thrombosis. Which prophylactic treatment does the nurse anticipate the health care provider will prescribe for this patient?The nurse is caring for a pregnant patient with a history of thrombosis. Which prophylactic treatment does the nurse anticipate the health care provider will prescribe for this patient?
Enoxaparin
A patient with deep vein thrombosis receiving an intravenous heparin infusion asks the nurse how this medication works. What is the nurse's best response?
Heparin suppresses coagulation by helping antithrombin perform its natural functions
The nurse is caring for a patient who takes warfarin for prevention of deep vein thrombosis. The patient has an international normalized ratio (INR) of 1.2. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
INR is too low; the dose may need to be increased
A patient is started on warfarin therapy while also receiving intravenous heparin. The patient is concerned about the risk for bleeding. What will the nurse tell the patient?
It usually takes about 3 days to achieve a therapeutic effect for warfarin, so the heparin is continued until the warfarin is therapeutic
A patient diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism is receiving a continuous heparin infusion at 1000 units/hr. The nurse will immediately notify the healthcare provider of which findings? Select all that apply.
Nosebleeds, aPTT of 40 seconds, aPTT of 100 seconds
The laboratory calls to report a drop in the platelet count to 90,000/mm 3 for a patient receiving heparin for the treatment of postoperative deep vein thrombosis. Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?
Notify the healthcare provider to discuss the reduction or withdrawal of heparin
A patient is receiving a continuous heparin infusion for venous thromboembolism treatment. Which laboratory results should the nurse monitor? Select all that apply.
Platelets, Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
A patient is being discharged from the hospital on warfarin for deep vein thrombosis prevention. Which instructions should the nurse include in the patient's discharge teaching plan? Select all that apply.
Wear a medical alert bracelet, Check all urine and stools for discoloration, Do not start any new medication without first talking to the healthcare provider
The nurse is administering warfarin, an anticoagulant, to a patient with a low albumin level. Which effect of this medication should the nurse expect to observe?
increased prothrombin time/international normalized ratio (PT/INR) levels
A patient who has been taking warfarin is admitted with coffee-ground emesis. What can the nurse anticipate being prescribed for this patient?
vitamin K
Which needle length and gauge should the nurse choose to administer subcutaneous heparin?
⅝ inch; 25 gauge