A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a continuous heparin infusion. Which of the following laboratory tests should the nurse review prior to adjusting the client's heparin?
aPTT
PT
INR
WBC count
The Correct Answer is A
- A is correct because aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) measures the effectiveness of heparin therapy and guides dosage adjustments.
- B is incorrect because PT (prothrombin time) measures the effectiveness of warfarin therapy, not heparin.
- C is incorrect because INR (international normalized ratio) is a standardized version of PT that also monitors warfarin therapy, not heparin.
- D is incorrect because WBC count (white blood cell count) measures the body's immune response and has no relation to heparin therapy.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
- A is correct because aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) measures the effectiveness of heparin therapy and guides dosage adjustments.
- B is incorrect because PT (prothrombin time) measures the effectiveness of warfarin therapy, not heparin.
- C is incorrect because INR (international normalized ratio) is a standardized version of PT that also monitors warfarin therapy, not heparin.
- D is incorrect because WBC count (white blood cell count) measures the body's immune response and has no relation to heparin therapy.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Aspirate contents from the tube and verify the pH level.
- A. This is an incorrect action. Inserting air in the tube and listening for gurgling sounds in the epigastric area is not a reliable method to confirm NG tube placement, as it can produce falsepositive results due to air entering the stomach or intestines.
- B. This is a correct action. Aspirating contents from the tube and verifying the pH level is a valid method to confirm NG tube placement, as gastric contents typically have a pH of less than 5.5, while intestinal or respiratory contents have a higher pH.
- C. This is an incorrect action. Reviewing the medical record for previous x-ray verification of placement is not sufficient to confirm NG tube placement, as the tube can migrate or become dislodged after insertion. X-ray verification should be done initially and whenever there is doubt about the tube's position.
- D. This is an incorrect action. Auscultating the lungs for adventitious breath sounds is not a specific method to confirm NG tube placement, as it can indicate other conditions such as pneumonia or pulmonary edema. It can also miss signs of respiratory complications due to NG tube misplacement, such as pneumothorax or bronchial obstruction.
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