Question

1. A client is being treated for a deep vein thrombosis in the left lower leg.

a. The client is being treated with heparin. Discuss potential assessments for this client.

b. The client is started on warfarin along with the heparin infusion. The client asks, “Why am I on two anticoagulants?” Discuss your possible responses and client teaching.

2. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a life-threatening complication of heparin administration.

a. Describe the occurrence of HIT in clients and how it is detected.

b. What are the risk factors for this disorder?

c. What are the potential interventions to control the outcome of HIT?

3. Drugs that affect blood coagulation are used in the prevention and management of many diseases.

a. Discuss a health problem and how a specific medication that affects blood coagulation is used as a treatment.

b. A potential risk of administering medications that affect blood coagulation is an inadvertent overdose. Discuss possible assessments and interventions for this problem.

Answer 1

1,a, Hemarrahge is a major complication using heparin therapy. Assess the patient for bleeding and assess the patient's INR and PTT level in the blood coagulation, check platelet count. assess the patient past medical and surgical history and use of medication like aspirin and NSAIDs.
2, Warfarin is the oral anticoagulant to control and prevent thromboembolic disorder. it avoids hemorrhagic complications and achieves sufficient suppression of thrombosis. it has a complex dose-response relationship it make safe and effective use. dose adjustment maintains patient INR due to delay in prothrombin suppression.hepairn administered for 4 to 5 days to prevent thrombus propagation. high dose of warfarin cause bleeding complications. advise the patient to use a soft toothbrush. it there is unusual bleeding should be reported immediately. avoid handling sharp objects. avoid aspirin and NSAIDs. advise the patient to wear a medical bracelet and alert tags using an anticoagulant name.
3, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia caused by antibodies that bind complexes of heparin and platelet factors 4. It is an immune complication of heparin therapy. HIT complications of treatment with blood thinner heparin can cause low platelet in the blood and cause a high risk of blood clotting. it can be detected by anti-PF4/heparin antibody, IgA, IgM antibody. it can be detected by the addition of secondary anti isotype antibodies.
4, risk factors include being female and elders, for surgical patients due to high platelet activation and PF4 activity.