Author Question: The physician orders pentoxifylline (Trental) for the patient with peripheral vascular disease. The ... (Read 163 times)

SO00 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The physician orders pentoxifylline (Trental) for the patient with peripheral vascular disease. The nurse has completed medication education and determines that learning has occurred when the patient makes which statement(s)?

1. It makes my red blood cells (RBCs) squishy so they can go into the little blood vessels.
2. It decreases my platelets so my blood is less likely to clot.
3. It decreases the stickiness of my blood.
4. It changes how my liver makes clotting factors.
5. It thins my blood so more can get to those little vessels.

Question 2

The nurse is managing care for a patient with a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) of the right calf. The patient receives heparin intravenously (IV). What is the priority outcome for this patient?

1. The patient will comply with dietary restrictions.
2. The patient will keep the right leg elevated on two pillows.
3. The patient will not disturb the intravenous infusion.
4. The patient will not experience bleeding.

fwbard · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1,2,3
Rationale: Pentoxifylline (Trental) acts on red blood cells (RBCs) to reduce their viscosity and increase their flexibility to allow them to enter partially occluded vessels. Pentoxifylline (Trental) also has antiplatelet action. Pentoxifylline (Trental) decreases the viscosity or stickiness of blood. Pentoxifylline (Trental) is not an anticoagulant. Pentoxifylline (Trental) does not interfere with the manufacture of clotting factors in the liver.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: An absence of bleeding is a priority outcome for any patient receiving anticoagulant therapy. Disturbing the intravenous (IV) could relate to bleeding, but this does not directly correlate with heparin. Dietary restrictions are important, but not as high of a priority as an absence of bleeding. Elevation of the affected extremity is important, but not as high of a priority as an absence of bleeding.