While preparing to administer a client's morning medications, the nurse notes the client is to receive heparin 5,000 units subcutaneously and has a new order for enoxaparin. What action should the nurse take?

A. Red blood cells: While red blood cell counts provide information about oxygen-carrying capacity and anemia, they do not directly reflect the anticoagulant effect of heparin or the risk of bleeding due to its use. Monitoring RBCs is not sufficient for safe heparin therapy.

B. International normalized ratio (INR): INR is primarily used to monitor warfarin therapy, not heparin. It measures the extrinsic pathway of coagulation, whereas heparin affects the intrinsic pathway, so INR is not the appropriate laboratory value for heparin monitoring.

C. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT): PTT measures the effectiveness of the intrinsic and common coagulation pathways, which are directly affected by heparin. Monitoring PTT helps ensure that the client maintains a therapeutic anticoagulation range and reduces the risk of bleeding or clot formation.

D. Hematocrit: Hematocrit reflects the proportion of red blood cells in the blood and can indicate blood loss over time. While important for general assessment, it does not specifically monitor heparin’s anticoagulant effect and is not the primary lab value to guide dosing.

A. A client needing stroke prevention: Antiplatelet therapy is indicated for clients at risk of ischemic stroke or recurrent stroke because it helps prevent platelet aggregation, reducing the likelihood of clot formation in the arteries. This intervention is especially beneficial in clients with a history of transient ischemic attacks or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

B. A client with a vitamin K deficiency: Vitamin K deficiency primarily affects clotting factor synthesis, leading to a bleeding tendency. Antiplatelet therapy would increase the risk of bleeding in these clients, making it contraindicated rather than indicated.

C. A client with a low platelet count: Clients with thrombocytopenia are already at risk for bleeding, and antiplatelet therapy would further impair clot formation, increasing the potential for hemorrhage. It is therefore avoided in these situations.

D. A client diagnosed with leukemia: Leukemia can be associated with low platelet counts or abnormal platelet function, placing the client at risk for bleeding. Administering antiplatelet therapy could exacerbate hemorrhagic complications rather than provide benefit.