If the patient PTT lab level is too long and greater than 80 seconds, the nurse should notify the doctor.
Which doctor’s order should the nurse anticipate?
Continue with the same dosage.
Hold dose.
Increase in dosage.
Decrease in dosage.
The Correct Answer is B
This is because a PTT (partial thromboplastin time) test measures how long it takes for blood to clot. A normal PTT range is between 25 to 35 seconds. If the patient’s PTT is too long and greater than 80 seconds, it means their blood is taking too long to clot and they are at risk of bleeding excessively. The nurse should notify the doctor and expect an order to hold the dose of heparin, a type of anticoagulant that prevents blood clots by prolonging the PTT.
Choice A is wrong because continuing with the same dosage of heparin would not correct the prolonged PTT and could cause more bleeding problems for the patient.
Choice C is wrong because increasing the dosage of heparin would further prolong the PTT and increase the risk of bleeding.
Choice D is wrong because decreasing the dosage of heparin would not be enough to bring the PTT back to normal range and would still pose a bleeding risk for the patient.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Taking niacin with an NSAID such as ibuprofen can reduce flushing, the most common adverse effect of niacin therapy. Flushing is a side effect of taking large doses of niacin (vitamin B3) supplements.It happens when the niacin causes the small blood vessels in your skin to dilate so more blood can rush through.Flushing can cause skin redness, warmth, itching, tingling, or burning sensations.
Choice A is wrong because taking niacin before starting daily activities can increase the risk of flushing and interfere with your routine.Flushing usually occurs within 15 to 30 minutes of taking niacin and lasts for about an hour.
Choice B is wrong because taking niacin with a sedative can increase the risk of liver damage, especially if the sedative is acetaminophen (Tylenol).Niacin can also cause liver problems at high doses, so combining it with another liver-toxic drug is not advisable.
Choice C is wrong because taking niacin with grapefruit juice can increase the risk of side effects, such as low blood pressure, dizziness, or fainting.Grapefruit juice can interfere with the metabolism of some drugs, including niacin, and make them more potent or toxic.
Normal ranges for niacin intake vary depending on age and gender.The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for adult males is 16 mg per day and for adult females is 14 mg per day.Higher doses of niacin may be prescribed by a doctor to treat high cholesterol or other conditions, but they should be taken under medical supervision and with caution.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Anticoagulants are medicines that increase the time it takes for blood to clot.They do not dissolve existing clots, but they can stop them from getting bigger or prevent new clots from forming.Anticoagulants work by interfering with different steps of the blood coagulation pathway, which is a complex process that involves many clotting factors.
Choice A is wrong because anticoagulants do not dissolve existing clots.To dissolve clots, you need medicines called thrombolytics or fibrinolytics, which break down the fibrin that holds the clots together.
Choice B is wrong because anticoagulants do not transport platelets.
Platelets are blood cells that help with clotting by sticking together and forming a plug at the site of an injury.Anticoagulants may affect the function of platelets, but they do not move them around.
Choice D is wrong because anticoagulants do not increase blood viscosity.
Viscosity is a measure of how thick and sticky a fluid is.
Anticoagulants are sometimes called blood thinners, but they do not actually change the viscosity of blood.They just make it less likely to clot.
Normal ranges for blood clotting tests vary depending on the type of test and the laboratory that performs it.
Some common tests and their normal ranges are:
• Prothrombin time (PT): 11 to 13.5 seconds
• International normalized ratio (INR): 0.8 to 1.2
• Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT): 25 to 35 seconds
• Anti-factor Xa: 0.3 to 0.7 units/mL
• D-dimer: less than 0.5 mcg/mL
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