anticoagulants, antiplatelets, thrombolytics Flashcards
What is thrombosis?
The formation of a clot, there are 2 types: Arterial (WBC and RBC) and Venous (RBC and PLT).
What causes arterial blood clots?
Arterial blood clots are caused by blood stasis, platelet aggregation, and blood coagulation.
What causes venous blood clots?
Venous blood clots are caused by blood stasis of slow flow, occur rapidly, and can cause DVT and PE.
What are anticoagulants?
They prevent clot formation but do not break down existing clots.
Who can anticoagulants be used for?
Patients with clots or patients at risk of clot formation, such as those with DVT, PE, MI, artificial mechanical valves, and CVA.
What can a blood clot in the heart cause?
It can go to the brain and cause a stroke.
What can a blood clot in the legs cause?
It can go to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism.
What are the anticoagulant medications?
Heparin, Enoxaparin (Lovenox), Fragmin, Innohep, Coumadin/Warfarin.
How is heparin given?
SQ, IV for blood clots; not given IM due to pain and hematoma formation.
What are the low molecular weight heparins and how are they given?
Lovenox, Fragmin, Innohep - all given SQ.
How is enoxaparin (Lovenox) given specifically?
Given 2 inches away from the umbilicus. Maintain the air bubble to help seal in the enoxaparin.
What is the mode of action of heparin?
Combines with antithrombin 3, prevents thrombin formation, inhibits the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, prevents fibrin clot formation.
What does heparin do to clotting time?
Prolongs clotting time (PTT), decreasing the risk of clot formation.
What is the pregnancy category of heparin?
Pregnancy category C.
How is heparin absorbed?
Poorly absorbed through GI, destroyed by heparinase in the liver.
What are the indications of heparin?
Rapid acting and is out of the system in an hour; used for rapid anticoagulation for thrombosis such as DVT, PE, embolic CVA.
What are the side effects of heparin?
Bruising, itching, and burning.
What are the adverse effects of heparin?
Bleeding, ecchymosis, thrombocytopenia, and hemorrhage.
What should you check for if someone develops thrombocytopenia while on heparin?
Check if the patient has HIT (heparin induced thrombocytopenia).
What is the antidote for heparin?
Protamine sulfate.
What are the contraindications of heparin?
Any med that increases risk of bleeding: bleeding disorder, peptic ulcer, severe hepatic/renal disease, hemophilia, CVA (hemorrhagic).
What are the drug interactions of heparin?
Increased effect with aspirin, NSAIDs, thrombolytics, and probenecid; decreased effect with nitroglycerin and protamine.
What is the half-life of heparin?
1-2 hours.
What are nursing considerations for heparin?
Obtain history of possible abnormal clotting; PTT should be checked every 4 hours when changing the dose.
What are the indications of warfarin (Coumadin)?
Same as heparin - rapid anticoagulation for thrombosis such as DVT, PE, embolic CVA.
How is Warfarin (Coumadin) given?
ONLY given PO.