A patient who has atrial fibrillation is taking warfarin and has an INR of 2.5.The patient reports having frequent headaches and asks for an over-the-counter pain reliever.The nurse will recommend which medication?

The nurse should include headache and dyspnea as potential adverse effects of bivalirudin.According to the drug information from various sources, bivalirudin can cause common side effects such as headache, nausea, low or high blood pressure, chest pain, abdominal pain, and shortness of breath (dyspnea).

These side effects should be reported to the provider if they are severe or persistent.

Choice B is wrong because fever is not a common side effect of bivalirudin.

However, fever can be a sign of infection or an allergic reaction to the drug, which should be reported to the provider immediately.

Choice C is wrong because chest pain is not an adverse effect of bivalirudin, but rather a symptom of angina, which is one of the conditions that bivalirudin is used to treat.

Chest pain can also indicate a heart attack or other serious cardiac problems, which require immediate medical attention.

Choice D is wrong because backache is not a common side effect of bivalirudin.

However, backache can be a sign of bleeding in the kidneys or other organs, which can be a serious complication of bivalirudin therapy.

Therefore, any unusual pain or swelling in the back or abdomen should be reported to the provider as soon as possible.

This is because alteplase [Activase] is a thrombolytic drug that dissolves blood clots and can cause bleeding complications, especially intracranial hemorrhage.Neurologic assessment is essential to detect any signs of bleeding in the brain, such as altered level of consciousness, headache, or focal deficits.

Choice A is wrong because applying pressure to needleless access sites after giving medications is a standard precaution to prevent bleeding and infection.It is not specific to alteplase [Activase] therapy.

Choice C is wrong because administering heparin when partial thromboplastin time (PTT) is less than 70 seconds is not recommended for patients who have received alteplase [Activase].

Heparin is an anticoagulant that can increase the risk of bleeding and should be used with caution in patients who have received thrombolytic therapy.The PTT should be monitored closely and heparin should be withheld if the PTT is above the therapeutic range.

Choice D is wrong because giving aspirin when platelet count is greater than 150,000/mm3 is not indicated for patients who have received alteplase [Activase].

Aspirin is an antiplatelet drug that can also increase the risk of bleeding and should be avoided in patients who have received thrombolytic therapy.

The platelet count should be monitored closely and aspirin should be withheld if the platelet count is below the normal range (150,000 to 450,000/mm3).