A patient has been prescribed rivaroxaban (Xarelto) for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of medication teaching?

Apixaban (Eliquis) is a blood thinner that prevents blood clots from forming or growing larger.

It is used to treat or prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition in which a blood clot forms in a vein deep in the body, usually in the legs.

It can also prevent pulmonary embolism (PE), a condition in which a blood clot breaks off and travels to the lungs, blocking blood flow and causing breathing problems.

Patients taking apixaban should follow these instructions:

• Avoid activities that may cause injury.

Apixaban can increase the risk of bleeding, so patients should be careful not to cut or bruise themselves.

They should use a soft toothbrush, an electric razor, and avoid contact sports or other activities that may cause bleeding.They should also wear a medical alert bracelet or carry an identification card that states they are taking apixaban.

• Report signs and symptoms of bleeding immediately.Patients should notify their doctor or seek emergency care if they have any signs of bleeding, such as unusual bruising, red or black stools, blood in the urine, coughing up blood, vomiting blood, nosebleeds, heavy menstrual bleeding, headaches, dizziness, weakness, or swelling.

• Do not take aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

These drugs can also increase the risk of bleeding and interfere with the effects of apixaban.

Patients should avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or other NSAIDs unless prescribed by their doctor.They should also check the labels of any over-the-counter medications or supplements they use and avoid those that contain aspirin or NSAIDs.

Choice B and D are wrong because:

• Take medication with food.Apixaban can be taken with or without food.Taking it with food does not affect its absorption or efficacy.

Therefore, this instruction is not necessary for patients taking apixaban.

• Monitor vital signs regularly.Apixaban does not affect blood pressure, heart rate, or oxygen saturation.

Therefore, monitoring vital signs regularly is not required for patients taking apixaban.However, patients should still follow their doctor’s advice on how often to check their blood tests, such as hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets.

The nurse would need to know the patient’s weight and aPTT level before starting the IV continuous Heparin drip.

Here is why:

• Weight: Heparin dosing is based on the patient’s weight, so the nurse would want to make sure the documented weight of the patient is current and accurate.The initial bolus and infusion rate are calculated using the patient’s weight in kilograms.

• aPTT: Heparin works by enhancing the activation of antithrombin III, which prevents the activation of thrombin and the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin.Heparin affects the intrinsic pathway of clotting, and its therapeutic effect is monitored by measuring the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).The normal range for aPTT is about 30-40 seconds, and the therapeutic range for Heparin is 1.5-2.5 times the normal value.The nurse would need to check the baseline aPTT before starting the drip, and then collect an aPTT level every 6 hours per protocol to adjust the infusion rate as needed.

The other choices are wrong because:

• Vital signs: Although vital signs are important to monitor for any patient, they are not specific to Heparin therapy.Heparin does not affect blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, or temperature directly.

• PT/INR: These are coagulation tests that measure the extrinsic pathway of clotting, which is affected by Vitamin K antagonists such as Warfarin.Heparin does not affect the PT/INR levels, so they are not relevant for Heparin therapy.

• EKG: An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart.It can help diagnose cardiac arrhythmias, ischemia, infarction, electrolyte imbalances, and other cardiac conditions.

Heparin does not affect the electrical conduction of the heart, so an EKG is not necessary before starting Heparin therapy