Which drug class is capable of dissolving blood clots?
Salicylates.
Antiplatelets.
Anticoagulants.
Thrombolytic agents.
The Correct Answer is D
Thrombolytic agents are a classification of drugs that dissolve blood clots by activating the enzyme plasmin, which breaks down the proteins (fibrins) that form clots. They are used for serious conditions, such as stroke, pulmonary embolism, or heart attack when the blood flow needs to be restored quickly.
Choice A is wrong because salicylates are anti-inflammatory drugs that inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are involved in inflammation and pain. They also have antiplatelet effects, but they do not dissolve existing clots.
Choice B is wrong because antiplatelets are drugs that prevent platelets from sticking together and forming clots. They are used to prevent clotting in conditions such as coronary artery disease, stroke, or peripheral arterial disease. They do not dissolve existing clots either.
Choice C is wrong because anticoagulants are drugs that prevent clots from forming by interfering with the clotting factors that are normally present in the blood.
They are used to treat or prevent conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or atrial fibrillation. They do not dissolve existing clots.
Normal ranges for clotting factors vary depending on the laboratory and the method used, but some common values are:
• Prothrombin time (PT): 11 to 13 seconds
• International normalized ratio (INR): 0.8 to 1.2
• Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT): 25 to 35 seconds
• Fibrinogen: 200 to 400 mg/dL
• D-dimer: less than 0.5 mcg/mL
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Class IV antidysrhythmics or calcium channel blockers decrease the flow of calcium ions into cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells, thus decreasing heart rate and contractions.By reducing the calcium influx, they also decrease the slope of phase 0 and 4 and prolong phase 2 of the cardiac action potential.This results in vasodilation, reduced myocardial oxygen demand, and decreased conduction through the AV node.
Choice A is wrong because calcium channel blockers do not increase blood vessel spasm, but rather cause vasodilation.
Choice C is wrong because calcium channel blockers do not decrease refractory period, but rather prolong it by extending phase 2 of the cardiac action potential.
Choice D is wrong because calcium channel blockers do not increase heart rate, but rather decrease it by slowing down the pacemaker activity and AV nodal conduction.
Normal ranges for heart rate are 60 to 100 beats per minute, and for blood pressure are 120/80 mmHg or lower.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Anticoagulant drugs are medicines that prevent blood clots from forming or growing larger.
They do not dissolve existing clots or transport platelets. They work by interfering with different steps of the blood coagulation pathway, which is the process that leads to clot formation.
Choice A is wrong because anticoagulant drugs do not dissolve existing clots.
To dissolve clots, you need fibrinolytic drugs, which break down the fibrin mesh that holds the clots together.
Choice B is wrong because anticoagulant drugs do not transport platelets.
Platelets are blood cells that stick together to form clots.
Anticoagulant drugs may affect the function of platelets, but they do not move them around.
Choice C is wrong because anticoagulant drugs do not act as fibrinolytic agents.
Fibrinolytic agents are drugs that activate plasmin, an enzyme that breaks down fibrin.
Anticoagulant drugs may inhibit the formation of fibrin, but they do not break it down.
Some examples of anticoagulant drugs are warfarin, heparin, and factor Xa inhibitors.
The normal ranges for some blood tests that measure the effects of anticoagulants 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
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