Anticoagulants: 3 Questions

Question 1

What is an emboli to the brain?

Answer 1

Stroke: Caused by a blood clot that forms elsewhere in the body and travels through the bloodstream to the brain.

Question 2

What is an emboli to the lung ?

Answer 2

Pulmonary Embolism: a sudden blockage in the pulmonary arteries, the blood vessels that send blood to your lungs.

Question 3

What is an emboli to the vein in the leg?

Answer 3

Deep Vein Thrombosis “DVT”: a medical condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein.

Question 4

What does anticoagulants do?

Answer 4

Prevention of new clots and the growth of existing clots. DO NOT DISSOLVE CLOTS. Thins the blood to make the river flow.

Question 5

What is the two Anticoagulant drugs?

Answer 5

Heparin and Warfarin (Coumadin)

Question 6

Which medication is given IV?

Answer 6

Heparin

Question 7

Which medication is given PO?

Answer 7

Warfarin

Question 8

Which medication is given SC?

Answer 8

LMWH: : Lovenox

Question 9

What is the reason to give Heparin?

Answer 9

-For emergency needs such as stroke, PE, and massive DVT
- Prevent clots during specific surgeries
-Post of blood clots: Venous Thrombosis
-Treat DIC

Question 10

What should you do as a nurse before administering Heparin?

Answer 10

Double check the doses with another nurse

Question 11

What is the antidote for Heparin?

Answer 11

Protamine Sulfate (IV) 1mg

Question 12

What labs should you do for Heparin ?

Answer 12

APTT (Activated Prothrombin Time)

Question 13

What cautions should you indicate before administering Heparin?

Answer 13

Hemophilia, Peptic Ulcers, decrease puncture.

Question 14

When should LMWH (Lovenox) be given ?

Answer 14

Given to patients at high risk for blood clots (Immobile, elderly, post-op)

Question 15

What does Lovenox cause ?

Answer 15

Bruising

Question 16

Can Lovenox be used as an Anticoagulation ‘Bridge’ before surgery?

Answer 16

Yes

Question 17

What are the contraindications for Heparin?

Answer 17

thrombocytopenia (low platelets) and uncontrolled bleeding

Question 18

When should you stop Heparin?

Answer 18

if platelets less than 100,000/mm3

Question 19

What should you do before administering Heparin IV?

Answer 19

Test Dose for allergy

Question 20

What is the MOA of Warfarin?

Answer 20

Antagonizes Vitamin K which inhibits factor 7,9,10 and prothrombin.

Question 21

What does Warfarin treat?

Answer 21

Treatment of Venous thrombosis, PE, MI, TIA, DVT, atrial fibrillation, and prosthetic heart valves.

Question 22

Can you start Heparin and Warfarin Together?

Answer 22

Yes because the onsets are different. Heparin is quicker than Warfarin

Question 23

How long does the therapeutic effect take place for warfarin ?

Answer 23

Several Days

Question 24

What labs do you monitor for Warfarin?

Answer 24

PT and INR

Question 25

What is normal INR?

Answer 25

1-1.5

Question 26

What is INR for MI, AFIB, PE, and Venous thrombosis?

Answer 26

2-3

Question 27

What is INR for mechanical heart valves, reoccurring systemic embolism
Green leafy vegetables?

Answer 27

2.5-3.5

Question 28

What adverse effect is associated with Warfarin ?

Answer 28

Purple toes syndrome

Question 29

What is normal PT?

Answer 29

18-24 seconds, over 24 = blood is to thin.

Question 30

What does INR indicate?

Answer 30

How long a patient needs for blood to clot. Warfarin 2x

Question 31

What is the antidote for Warfarin?

Answer 31

Vitamin K(Phytonadione):
2.5mg PO, 0.5 to 1 mg IV

Question 32

Does Warfarin have many interactions ?

Answer 32

Yes

Question 33

Should you take Herbal products while on Warfarin?

Answer 33

no

Question 34

What should patients eat to thicken the blood ?

Answer 34

Greens (Vitamin K)

Question 35

During bleeding assessment look for ?

Answer 35

visual assessment- blood you can see
Guaiac Fecal Occult stool- blood you cannot see.