Which serum laboratory test is most important for the nurse to monitor when administering enoxaparin to a client?

Protein and albumin.

Complete blood count (CBC).

BUN and creatinine.

Electrolytes.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: Protein and albumin reflect nutritional or liver status but are unaffected by enoxaparin, a low-molecular-weight heparin inhibiting factor Xa. These do not monitor anticoagulation effects or complications like bleeding. CBC is critical, as enoxaparin increases bleeding risk, requiring platelet and hemoglobin monitoring to detect serious hematological issues.

Choice B reason: Enoxaparin, an anticoagulant, heightens bleeding risk and can cause thrombocytopenia. Monitoring CBC, especially platelets and hemoglobin, detects heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) or hemorrhage. This ensures early identification of complications, allowing timely intervention to prevent severe bleeding or thrombosis, making CBC the most critical test for safe administration.

Choice C reason: BUN and creatinine assess renal function, relevant for renally cleared drugs, but enoxaparin is primarily liver-metabolized. Renal monitoring is secondary unless severe impairment exists. CBC is more urgent, as enoxaparin’s anticoagulant effect increases bleeding risk, necessitating hematological surveillance to prevent life-threatening complications.

Choice D reason: Electrolytes like potassium or sodium are not directly affected by enoxaparin’s action on the coagulation cascade. Imbalances may occur in critical illness but are not primary concerns. CBC monitoring for bleeding or thrombocytopenia is critical, as enoxaparin’s anti-Xa activity poses hematological risks requiring immediate attention.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Continuing heparin at aPTT 120 seconds is unsafe, as it exceeds the therapeutic range (38–88 seconds), indicating excessive anticoagulation. This risks bleeding, as heparin enhances antithrombin, inhibiting clotting factors. Stopping and notifying the provider prevents hemorrhage, making continuation dangerous for this DVT client.

Choice B reason: Increasing heparin is contraindicated with aPTT 120 seconds, far above therapeutic (38–88 seconds). Excessive anticoagulation from heparin’s antithrombin activation heightens bleeding risk. Stopping the infusion and notifying the provider corrects over-anticoagulation, preventing complications like hematoma, making an increase harmful and inappropriate.

Choice C reason: Stopping heparin and notifying the provider is critical at aPTT 120 seconds, indicating over-anticoagulation. Heparin’s inhibition of clotting factors increases bleeding risk in DVT treatment. Halting infusion prevents hemorrhage, and provider notification ensures dose adjustment or reversal, addressing the pathophysiological risk effectively and promptly.

Choice D reason: Administering protamine sulfate reverses heparin but requires provider order, as aPTT 120 seconds indicates high bleeding risk. Stopping infusion first prevents further anticoagulation, and notifying the provider ensures guided reversal, avoiding premature protamine use, which risks anaphylaxis or thrombosis, making this less immediate.

A. Start the collection time now and stop the collection the next day at the same time. B. Provide catheter care at the urinary site to prevent contamination of the specimens. C. Clamp the catheter to control urine flow during the collection period. D. Label the collection container with the client’s name and start time.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Starting the collection time after emptying the bag ensures an accurate 24-hour urine sample, critical for diagnostic tests like creatinine clearance. This defines the collection period, per laboratory and diagnostic specimen collection protocols in nursing practice.

Choice B reason: Catheter care prevents infection but is not the most critical step for initiating a 24-hour collection. Starting the collection time ensures accurate timing, essential for valid results, per urinary specimen collection and infection control standards in nursing.

Choice C reason: Clamping the catheter is inappropriate, as it disrupts continuous urine flow, skewing the 24-hour collection. Starting the collection time ensures accurate sampling, critical for diagnostic accuracy, per urinary catheter management and laboratory protocols in nursing practice.

Choice D reason: Labeling the container is important but secondary to starting the collection time, which defines the 24-hour period for accurate results. Timing ensures valid diagnostic data, per specimen collection and laboratory standards in nursing practice for urine collections.

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Which serum laboratory test is most important for the nurse to monitor when administering enoxaparin to a client?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The nurse is initiating a 24-hour urine collection for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter. After emptying all the urine from the collection bag, which action is most important for the nurse to implement?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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