Exam 40: Anticoagulants, Antiplatelets, and Thrombolytics

The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who is receiving alteplase tPA (Activase) after developing a blood clot. The nurse notes a heart rate of 110 beats per minute and a blood pressure of 90/60 mm Hg. The nurse will perform which action?

The nurse is assessing a patient prior to administering thrombolytic therapy. Which is an important assessment for this patient?

The nurse is assessing a patient who takes warfarin (Coumadin). The nurse notes a heart rate of 92 beats per minute and a blood pressure of 88/78 mm Hg. To evaluate the reason for these vital signs, the nurse will assess which of the following?

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 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 PPT (aPTT). Which action will the nurse perform?

The nurse is teaching a patient who will begin taking warfarin (Coumadin) for atrial fibrillation. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?

The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient. The nurse will anticipate administering which medication to this patient to help prevent thrombus formation caused by slow venous blood flow?

A nursing student asks why the anticoagulant heparin is given to patients who have disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and are at risk for excessive bleeding. The nurse will explain that heparin is used in this case for which reason?

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?

Which of the following is NOT considered a potential life threatening adverse reaction to clopidogrel (Plavix) use?

A patient who has recently had a myocardial infarction (MI) will begin taking clopidogrel (Plavix) to prevent a second MI. Which medication will the nurse expect the provider to order as adjunctive therapy for this patient?

A patient is receiving a thrombolytic medication. The patient calls the nurse to report having bloody diarrhea. The nurse will anticipate administering which medication?

A patient is taking clopidogrel (Plavix). When teaching this patient about dietary restrictions while taking this medication, the nurse will instruct the patient to avoid excessive consumption of which food?

The nurse is preparing to administer a first dose of clopidogrel (Plavix) to a patient. As part of the history, the nurse learns that the patient has a previous history of peptic ulcers, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. The nurse understands that which of these conditions warrants caution with clopidogrel treatment?

A patient who is taking warfarin has an international normalized ratio (INR) of 5.5. The nurse will anticipate giving which of the following?

A patient who is taking clopidogrel (Plavix) and aspirin is preparing for orthopedic surgery. The nurse will consult with the surgeon and provide which instruction to the patient?

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 the benefit of enoxaparin over heparin is that it:

Which of the following thrombolytics carries a higher risk for anaphylaxis?