A nurse is caring for a client who has a thrombus and is receiving a continuous infusion of heparin. The client asks the nurse how long it will take for the heparin to dissolve the clot.
Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
"The time it takes for heparin to dissolve a clot depends on the size of the clot.".
"The time it takes for heparin to dissolve a clot varies between clients.".
"Usually, it takes at least 2 to 3 days for heparin to dissolve a clot.".
"Heparin prevents new clots from forming rather than dissolving existing ones.".
The Correct Answer is D
Heparin is an anticoagulant that is used to decrease the clotting ability of the blood and help prevent harmful clots from forming in blood vessels 1.
However, heparin will not dissolve blood clots that have already formed, but it may prevent the clots from becoming larger and causing more serious problems 12.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because heparin does not dissolve existing clots. Instead, it works to prevent new clots from forming 12.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
To calculate the rate at which the volumetric pump should be set to deliver the intravenous fluids, you need to divide the total volume of fluid (3,000 mL) by the total time in hours (24 hours).
This gives you 3,000 mL ÷ 24 hours = 125 mL/hr.
Therefore, the nurse should set the volumetric pump to deliver 125 mL of fluid per hour.

Choice B is incorrect because 130 mL/hr would result in a total of 3,120 mL over 24 hours.
Choice C is incorrect because 135 mL/hr would result in a total of 3,240 mL over 24 hours.
Choice D is incorrect because 140 mL/hr would result in a total of 3,360 mL over 24 hours.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The nurse should administer 2 tablets of lorazepam 1 mg to give a total dose of 2 mg.
This is calculated by dividing the desired dose (2 mg) by the available dose (1 mg/tablet) to get the number of tablets needed: 2 mg / (1 mg/tablet) = 2 tablets.
Choice A, 1 tablet, is not the correct answer because it would only provide a total dose of 1 mg.
Choice C, 3 tablets, is not the correct answer because it would provide a total dose of 3 mg.
Choice D, 4 tablets, is not the correct answer because it would provide a total dose of 4 mg.
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