Anticoagulants

Question 1

What is the mode of action of oral anticoagulants?

Answer 1

They suppress the synthesis of vitamin k dependant clotting factors

Question 2

What are oral anticoagulants used for?

Answer 2

Prevention and management of DVT and PE

Question 3

List adverse effects of oral anticoagulants

Answer 3

Bleeding/haemorrhage, nausea/vomiting, diarrhoea

Question 4

What are some nursing considerations when looking after a patient on oral anticoagulants?

Answer 4

Encourage the use of soft toothbrush, electric razor instead of blade
Avoid contact sports
Notify if any signs of blood in stool or urine
Notify if any nose bleeding or abnormal bleeding or bruising
Liaise with GP for regular INR blood tests

Question 5

What other drugs will interfere with oral anticoagulants?

Answer 5

Long list of food, alcohol? Over the counter meds and prescribed meds that interfere with action of warfarin. These cause bleeding episodes or decrease anticoagulant effects.

Question 6

What is the generic and trade names for ORAL anticoagulants?

Answer 6

Warfarin sodium

Coumadin, marevan