The patient has been receiving heparin therapy for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The patient’s activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) result is 90 seconds (therapeutic range: 60-80 seconds). What will be included in patient care? (Select all that apply.).
Assessing for signs and symptoms of bleeding
Continuing heparin therapy at current rate
Decreasing heparin therapy per protocol
Holding heparin therapy per protocol
Increasing heparin therapy per protocol.
Correct Answer : A,D
A patient with a high aPTT result is at risk for bleeding, so assessing for signs and symptoms of bleeding is important.
Holding heparin therapy per protocol is also appropriate, as heparin is the cause of the prolonged aPTT.
The other choices are wrong because:
• Choice B is wrong because continuing heparin therapy at the current rate will increase the risk of bleeding and further prolong the aPTT.
• Choice C is wrong because decreasing heparin therapy per protocol is not enough to reverse the effects of heparin.
Heparin should be stopped until the aPTT returns to the therapeutic range.
• Choice E is wrong because increasing heparin therapy per protocol will worsen the situation and cause more bleeding and coagulation problems.
The normal range for aPTT is 25 to 35 seconds, and the therapeutic range for heparin therapy is 60 to 80 seconds. A result of 90 seconds indicates excessive anticoagulation and increased bleeding risk.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D) Use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
This is because enoxaparin (Lovenox) is an anticoagulant that prevents blood clots by thinning the blood.Therefore, patients who take enoxaparin should avoid activities that can cause bleeding, such as using a hard-bristled toothbrush, flossing, shaving, or cutting their nails.
Choice A) Avoid foods that are high in vitamin K is wrong because vitamin K interacts with warfarin, another anticoagulant, but not with enoxaparin.Vitamin K helps the blood clot, so patients who take warfarin should avoid foods that are high in vitamin K, such as leafy green vegetables, broccoli, or liver.
Choice B) Administer injections into areas with decreased subcutaneous tissue is wrong because enoxaparin should be injected into areas with adequate subcutaneous tissue, such as the abdomen or the thighs.Injecting into areas with decreased subcutaneous tissue can cause bruising, pain, or hematoma formation.
Choice C) Massage injection sites after administration is wrong because massaging the injection sites can cause bleeding, bruising, or irritation.Patients who take enoxaparin should not rub or press on the injection sites after administration.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).
Dabigatran (Pradaxa) is a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) that inhibits thrombin, a key enzyme in the coagulation cascade.
Dabigatran prolongs the aPTT, which is a measure of the intrinsic and common pathways of coagulation.The aPTT can be used to monitor the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran, although routine monitoring is not required.
Choice A) Prothrombin time (PT) is wrong because PT measures the extrinsic and common pathways of coagulation, which are not affected by dabigatran.
PT is used to monitor warfarin therapy, not dabigatran.
Choice B) International normalized ratio (INR) is wrong because INR is a standardized version of PT that is used to monitor warfarin therapy, not dabigatran.
INR is not affected by dabigatran.
Choice D) Platelet count is wrong because platelet count is a measure of the number of platelets in the blood, which are involved in primary hemostasis.
Platelet count is not affected by dabigatran, which acts on secondary hemostasis.
Normal ranges for these tests are:
• aPTT: 25 to 35 seconds
• PT: 11 to 13.5 seconds
• INR: 0.8 to 1.2
• Platelet count: 150,000 to 450,000 per microliter of blood
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