A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving warfarin therapy to prevent deep vein thrombosis. Which of the following medications should the nurse have available in the event of an overdose?
Epinephrine
Vitamin K
Atropine
Protamine
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason : Epinephrine is an adrenergic agonist primarily used in the management of cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis, and severe asthma attacks. It is not used to reverse the effects of warfarin overdose. Warfarin acts as an anticoagulant by inhibiting vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, and epinephrine has no role in this mechanism.
Choice B reason : Vitamin K is the antidote for warfarin toxicity. Warfarin works by inhibiting the vitamin K-dependent clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X. In the event of an overdose, vitamin K is administered to reverse the anticoagulant effects of warfarin and restore the clotting factor levels to normal. The administration can be oral or intravenous, depending on the severity of the overdose and the urgency of the situation.
Choice C reason : Atropine is an anticholinergic drug used to treat bradycardia (slow heart rate) and as an antidote for organophosphate poisoning. It does not have a role in reversing warfarin overdose as it does not affect the clotting cascade or vitamin K metabolism.
Choice D reason : Protamine is used to reverse the effects of heparin, another anticoagulant, but not warfarin. Protamine sulfate binds to heparin, forming a stable complex and neutralizing its anticoagulant effects. Since warfarin's mechanism of action is different from heparin's, protamine is not effective in reversing warfarin toxicity.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason : S1 represents the sound made by the closure of the atrioventricular valves (mitral and tricuspid valves) and is not the sound associated with the closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves.
Choice B reason : S2 is the sound heard when the aortic and pulmonic valves close. It is often described as a "dub" and occurs at the end of ventricular systole.
Choice C reason : S3 is a rare extra heart sound that follows S2 and usually indicates an increase in left ventricular filling pressure, which can be found in conditions such as heart failure.
Choice D reason : S4 is another extra heart sound that occurs just before S1. It is typically associated with a stiff or hypertrophic ventricle and is not related to the closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves
Correct Answer is ["50"]
Explanation
Step 1 is to calculate the total drops (gtt) the nurse needs to administer. This is done by multiplying the volume of the solution (400 mL) by the drop factor (60 gtt/mL). So, 400 mL × 60 gtt/mL = 24000 gtt.
Step 2 is to calculate the total time in minutes over which the IV should be administered. Since there are 60 minutes in an hour, 8 hours is equivalent to 8 hours × 60 min/hour = 480 minutes.
Step 3 is to calculate the rate at which the IV should be administered. This is done by dividing the total drops by the total time. So, 24000 gtt ÷ 480 min = 50 gtt/min.
The nurse should set the manual IV infusion to deliver approximately 50 gtt/min.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today