A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving heparin therapy via continuous IV infusion for treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The nurse should monitor which of the following laboratory values to evaluate therapeutic effectiveness of heparin therapy?
Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Prothrombin time (PT)
International normalized ratio (INR)
Platelet count
Hemoglobin.
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer is choice A) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). This is because aPTT is the most commonly used laboratory test to monitor the therapeutic effect of heparin therapy.
Heparin is an anticoagulant that inhibits the formation of thrombin and fibrin, which are essential for blood clotting. Heparin therapy is indicated for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a condition where blood clots form in the deep veins of the legs or pelvis.
Choice B) Prothrombin time (PT) is wrong because PT is used to monitor the therapeutic effect of warfarin therapy, not heparin therapy.
Warfarin is another anticoagulant that inhibits the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. Warfarin therapy is also indicated for the treatment of DVT, but it has a different mechanism of action and monitoring than heparin therapy.
Choice C) International normalized ratio (INR) is wrong because INR is a standardized way of reporting PT results that accounts for the variability of different laboratory methods. INR is also used to monitor the therapeutic effect of warfarin therapy, not heparin therapy.
Choice D) Platelet count is wrong because platelet count is not directly affected by heparin therapy. However, platelet count should be monitored periodically in patients receiving heparin therapy to detect heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), which is a rare but serious complication of heparin therapy that causes a drop in platelet count and an increased risk of thrombosis.
Choice E) Hemoglobin is wrong because hemoglobin is not directly affected by heparin therapy. However, hemoglobin should be monitored periodically in patients receiving heparin therapy to detect bleeding complications, which are the most common adverse effects of heparin therapy.
The normal range for aPTT is 25 to 35 seconds, but the therapeutic range for heparin therapy is usually 1.5 to 2.5 times the normal range, depending on the indication and protocol.
The normal range for PT is 11 to 13 seconds, and the therapeutic range for warfarin therapy is usually an INR of 2 to 3, depending on the indication and protocol
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A history of stroke is an absolute contraindication to the administration of a thrombolytic to a patient having an acute myocardial infarction (AMI).This is because thrombolytics can increase the risk of intracranial hemorrhage and worsen the neurological outcome.
Choice A is wrong because history of hypertension is not an absolute contraindication, but a relative one.This means that the benefits of thrombolytic therapy may outweigh the risks in some cases, depending on the severity and duration of hypertension.
Choice C is wrong because history of peptic ulcer disease is also a relative contraindication, not an absolute one.Thrombolytics can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, but this can be managed with proton pump inhibitors or histamine-2 blockers.
Choice D is wrong because history of diabetes mellitus is not a contraindication at all to thrombolytic therapy.In fact, some studies have shown that diabetic patients with AMI may benefit more from thrombolytic therapy than non-diabetic patients.
Correct Answer is ["A","E"]
Explanation
The nurse should include headache and dyspnea as potential adverse effects of bivalirudin.According to the drug information from various sources, bivalirudin can cause common side effects such as headache, nausea, low or high blood pressure, chest pain, abdominal pain, and shortness of breath (dyspnea).
These side effects should be reported to the provider if they are severe or persistent.
Choice B is wrong because fever is not a common side effect of bivalirudin.
However, fever can be a sign of infection or an allergic reaction to the drug, which should be reported to the provider immediately.
Choice C is wrong because chest pain is not an adverse effect of bivalirudin, but rather a symptom of angina, which is one of the conditions that bivalirudin is used to treat.
Chest pain can also indicate a heart attack or other serious cardiac problems, which require immediate medical attention.
Choice D is wrong because backache is not a common side effect of bivalirudin.
However, backache can be a sign of bleeding in the kidneys or other organs, which can be a serious complication of bivalirudin therapy.
Therefore, any unusual pain or swelling in the back or abdomen should be reported to the provider as soon as possible.
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