A patient experiences a blood clot in one leg, and the provider ...

[mynx]

A patient experiences a blood clot in one leg, and the provider has ordered a thrombolytic medication. The patient learns that the medication is expensive and asks the nurse if it is necessary. Which response by the nurse is correct?
 
  a. The drug will decrease the likelihood of permanent tissue damage.
  b. This medication also acts to prevent future blood clots from forming.
  c. You could take aspirin instead of this drug to achieve the same effect.
  d. Your body will break down the clot, so the drug is not necessary.

Question 2

A patient has been receiving intravenous heparin. When laboratory tests are drawn, the nurse has difficulty stopping bleeding at the puncture site. The patient has bloody stools and is reporting abdominal pain.
 
  The nurse notes elevated partial thromboplastin time (PTT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Which action will the nurse perform?
  a. Ask for an order for oral warfarin (Coumadin).
  b. Obtain an order for protamine sulfate.
  c. Request an order for vitamin K.
  d. Suggest that the patient receive subcutaneous heparin.

[potomatos]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Thrombolytic medications are given primarily to prevent permanent tissue damage caused by compromised blood flow to the affected area. Thrombolytics do not prevent clots from forming. Aspirin prevents, but does not dissolve, clots. Although the body will break down the clot, the drug is needed to prevent tissue damage due to active ischemia.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Protamine sulfate is given as an antidote to heparin when patient's clotting times are elevated. Oral warfarin will not stop the anticoagulant effects of heparin. Vitamin K is used as an antidote for warfarin. Administering heparin by another route is not indicated when there is a need to reverse the effects of heparin.

[mynx]

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[potomatos]

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