A patient who has received heparin after previous surgeries will ...

[acc299]

A patient who has received heparin after previous surgeries will be given enoxaparin sodium (Lovenox) after knee-replacement surgery. The patient asks how this drug is different from heparin. The nurse will explain that enoxaparin
 
  a. decreases the need for laboratory tests.
  b. has a shorter half-life than heparin.
  c. increases the risk of hemorrhage.
  d. may be taken orally instead of subcutaneously.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving warfarin (Coumadin) and notes bruising and petechiae on the patient's extremities. The nurse will request an order for which laboratory test?
 
  a. International normalized ratio (INR)
  b. Platelet level
  c. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
  d. Vitamin K level

[Laurenleakan]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Enoxaparin is a lowmolecular-weight heparin, which produces more stable responses at lower doses, thus reducing the need for frequent lab monitoring. It has a longer half-life than heparin. It decreases the risk of hemorrhage because it is more stable at lower doses. It is given subcutaneously.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
The INR is the test used most frequently to report prothrombin time results in patients taking warfarin. Warfarin is not an antiplatelet drug, so platelet levels are not indicated. PTT and aPTT are used to monitor heparin therapy. Vitamin K is an antidote for warfarin; levels are not routinely checked.

[acc299]

TYSM

[marict]

Great answer, keep it coming