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 D
Explanation
“Inject the medication into the abdomen above the level of the iliac crest.” When administering heparin subcutaneously, it is appropriate to inject the medication into the abdomen above the level of the iliac crest 1.
Choice A is not correct because a 1-inch needle may be too long for subcutaneous injection.
A shorter needle, such as a 3/8 to 5/8 inch needle, is typically used for subcutaneous injections.
Choice B is not correct because a 22-gauge needle may be too large for subcutaneous injection.
A smaller gauge needle, such as a 25- or 27-gauge needle, is typically used for subcutaneous injections.
Choice C is not correct because massaging the injection site after administering heparin can increase the risk of bruising and should be avoided.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
To calculate the number of tablets the nurse should administer per dose, you need to divide the prescribed dose of digoxin (0.25 mg) by the amount of digoxin available in each tablet (0.125 mg/tablet).
This gives you a result of 0.25 mg / 0.125 mg/tablet = 2 tablets.
Choice A: 1 is not the answer because 0.25 mg / 0.125 mg/tablet = 2 tablets.
Choice C: 3 is not the answer because 0.25 mg / 0.125 mg/tablet = 2 tablets.
Choice D: 4 is not the answer because 0.25 mg / 0.125 mg/tablet = 2 tablets.
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