Medications Affecting Coagulation Flashcards
What is the therapeutic action of heparin and low molecular weight heparin?
Interfere with the clotting cascade and fibrin formation, which prevents clots from forming or clots from getting any bigger. DO NOT DISSOLVE CLOTS
What is the therapeutic action of heparin and low molecular weight heparin?
Interfere with the clotting cascade and fibrin formation, which prevents clots from forming or clots from getting any bigger.
What is the therapeutic use for heparin and low molecular weight heparin?
Used for condition where developing clots is a problem
For example: CAD, stroke, pulmonary embolism, massive DVTs, dialysis, prophylaxis for post operation or long term bedrest, treatment of DIC
How are the forms of heparin administered?
IV or subcutaneous
With DIC, when is it best to treat this condition with forms of heparin?
during the actual clotting process of DIC, becuase later on in the disease process the body will have used up all of its clotting factors and the patient will be at a very high risk for bleeding.
What are some adverse effects of parenteral anticoagulants like heparin?
Hemorrhage
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
What are some nursing considerations for parenteral anticoagulants like heparin?
monitor vitals
look for signs of bleeding (internal and external)
avoid falls! (risk of bleeds)
monitor aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time)
monitor platelets (throughout and some time after therapy)
What is a medication to reverse an overdose of heparin?
protamine sulfate
administer slowly (no faster than 20mg/minute
What is the therapeutic aPTT range for heparin treatment?
1.5-2 times the baseline (60-80 seconds)
At what platelet count should heparin treatment be stopped?
In what patients is heparin treatment contraindicated?
bleeding disorders
low platelet count
severe HTN (risk for intercranial bleeds)
dont take with aspirin (thins blood)
dont take with NSAIDs (increase risk for gastric ulcers and bleeds
What are some internal and external signs of bleeding?
Increased heart rate (decrease in CO)
BP (late sign, may drop because of loss of volume)
collection from foley bag
GI bleeds (black tarry stool is upper GI and bright red is lower GI)
Changes in loc (intercranial bleed)
INTERCRANIAL BLEED IS MOST CONCERING
What are the two different “types” of heparin-induced throbocytopenia?
one can happen just a few days after exposure and will correct in a few days
the second type doesnt normally happen until 6-10 days into therapy
ANTIBODIES ARE BEING FORMED TO ATTACK OUR PLATELETS IN RESPONSE TO HEPARIN
What are some precautions for IV heparin?
use a IV PUMP for continuous drip
double check dosage with another nurse
monitor infusion and look for bleeding every 30-60 minutes
monitor aPTT every 4-6 hours until therapeutic range is maintained, then monitor daily
monitor VS
get baseline CBC, platelets, and HCT levels (HCT and HGB drop may indicate bleeding)
How do you administer SQ heparin?
withdraw medication with 20-22 gauge needle
change needles to 25-26 1/2 gauge
inject into deep subcutaneous tissue 2 inches from umbilicus (pinch fold of skin) DONT ASPIRATE
Apply pressure for 1-2 minutes, DONT MASSAGE
record and rotate sites
monitor for bleeding
How do you administer SQ heparin?
withdraw medication with 20-22 gauge needle
change needles to 25-26 1/2 gauge
inject into deep subcutaneous tissue 2 inches from umbilicus (pinch fold of skin)
Apply pressure for 1-2 minutes, DONT MASSAGE
record and rotate sites
monitor for bleeding
What is the therapeutic use for heparin and low molecular weight heparin?
Used for condition where developing clots is a problem
For example: CAD, stroke, pulmonary embolism, massive DVTs, dialysis, prophylaxis for post operation or long term bedrest, treatment of DIC
How are the forms of heparin administered?
IV or subcutaneous
With DIC, when is it best to treat this condition with forms of heparin?
during the actual clotting process of DIC, becuase later on in the disease process the body will have used up all of its clotting factors and the patient will be at a very high risk for bleeding.
What are some adverse effects of parenteral anticoagulants like heparin?
Hemorrhage
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
What are some nursing considerations for parenteral anticoagulants like heparin?
monitor vitals
look for signs of bleeding (internal and external)
avoid falls! (risk of bleeds)
monitor aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time)
monitor platelets (throughout and some time after therapy)
What is a medication to reverse an overdose of heparin?
protamine sulfate
administer slowly (no faster than 20mg/minute
What is the therapeutic aPTT range for heparin treatment?
1.5-2 times the baseline (60-80 seconds)
At what platelet count should heparin treatment be stopped?