Chapter 32 & 10 (Learning Outcomes) Flashcards
Define anticoagulant
Prevent new thrombus formation and the extension of existing thrombi
- keep blood from clotting
- exist naturally
Define anticoagulant
Prevent thrombus formation and the extension of existing thrombi
- keep blood from clotting
- exist naturally
What are two types of anticoagulants?
- Heparin (parenteral)
2. Warfarin (oral)
What is the action of thrombolytics (how is it different than anticoagulants)?
Dissolves EXISTING clots
What is the action of antiplatelet therapy?
Decreases the ability of platelets to stick together
What are the areas of the body that produces heparin naturally?
- Lungs
- Liver
What drug is used to prevent the extension of a blood clot, particularly in patients with DVT or PE?
Heparin
What is the route of administration for Heparin?
Parenterally
IV: onset immediate
SC: onset 20-60 minutes
Describe the pharmacodynamics of heparin
Heparin (along with antithrombin) rapidly promotes the inactivation of factor X
- prevents the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin
True or False:
Heparin has no effect on blood clots that have already been formed
True
When is Heparin contraindicated?
- Thrombocytopenia
- Bleeding disorders
- Active bleeding (other than DIC)
What is the most common adverse effect of heparin?
Bleeding
What is administered if a patient receives an overdose of heparin?
Protamine sulfate
- a strong base that reacts with heparin (a strong acid) to forma a stable salt, thereby neutralizing the anticoagulant effects of heparin
What core patient variables should be assessed prior to giving heparin?
- pre-existing prolonged bleeding time
- aPTT
- platelet count
- renal function
- hematocrit
What core patient variables should be assessed prior to giving heparin?
- pre-existing prolonged bleeding time
- aPTT
- platelet count
- renal function
How do you determine the therapeutic range for heparin?
Multiply the control by 1.5 and then by 2
- therapeutic range is between these two numbers
(Ex: Control time = 30 seconds. Therapeutic range = 45 - 60 seconds)
To minimize the risk of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), when does the platelet count have to be monitored?
Every day for 14 days
- or until heparin is discontinued
- whichever comes first
How long should a patient be given heparin for to reduce the risk of developing a DVT or PE?
Low risk = 3 months
High risk = 6 months to indefinitely
- initially treatment begins with heparin for 5 days, but then continues with oral anticoagulant afterwards
What is the patient education for heparin?
Report any blood in: - urine - stools Bleeding from: - gums - nose - vagina - wounds
What are the important education points for patients administering Enoxaparin themselves?
- locating appropriate injection site and rotating injection sites
- performing SC injections using appropriate technique
- disposing of syringes and needles appropriately
- PATIENTS may RECAP their own needle
What are the important education points for patients administering Enoxaparin themselves?
- reason for therapy
- taking it on time
- having follow-up blood analyses done as recommended
What are the names of the drugs that are in the class of direct thrombin inhibitors (3)?
- Argatroban
- Bivalirudin
- Lepirudin
How are direct thrombin inhibitors different than heparin?
Bind to active thrombin site and inhibit both free and clot-bound thrombin
What is the prototype drug for oral anticoagulants?
Warfarin (Coumadin)
What is measured to determine therapeutic levels of warfarin?
INR
- international normalized ratio
- compares patient prothrombin time to standard prothrombin time
For treatment or prophylaxis of a thrombus or embolus, what should the INR be equal to?
2 - 3
- patient’s prothrombin time should be 1.4 - 1.6 times the control time
Describe the pharmacodynamics of warfarin
Works by competitively blocking vitamin K at its sites of action
- thus it prevents the activation of factors II, VII, IX, and X
- has not effect on factors that have already been activated
True or False:
Full therapeutic response of warfarin cannot be measured until 3 days after therapy begins
True
When is warfarin contraindicated?
- active bleeding
- open wounds
- ulcerations of the GI tract
- hemophilia
- thrombocytopenia