ATI LPN
Pharmacology and the Nursing Process 10th Edition Test Bank
Chapter 26 : Coagulation Modifier Drugs Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient is receiving heparin therapy as part of the treatment for a pulmonary embolism. The nurse monitors the results of which laboratory test to check the drug's effectiveness?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ongoing aPTT values are used to monitor heparin therapy. PT/INR is used to monitor warfarin therapy. The other two options are not used to monitor anticoagulant therapy.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse notes in the patient's medication orders that the patient will be starting anticoagulant therapy. What is the primary goal of anticoagulant therapy?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Anticoagulants prevent thrombus formation but do not dissolve or stabilize an existing thrombus, nor do they dilate vessels around a clot.
Question 3 of 5
A patient is being discharged on anticoagulant therapy. The nurse will include in the patient-education conversation that it is important to avoid herbal products that contain which substance?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Capsicum pepper, dong quai, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, and St. John's wort are some herbal products that have potential interactions with anticoagulants, especially with warfarin.
Question 4 of 5
A patient has had recent mechanical heart valve surgery and is receiving anticoagulant therapy. While monitoring the patient's laboratory work, the nurse interprets that the patient's international normalized ratio (INR) level of 1.8 indicates: which of these?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A normal INR (without warfarin) is 1.0. A therapeutic INR for patients who have had mechanical heart valve surgery ranges from 2 to 3.5. For this patient, an INR of 1.8 is not a therapeutic level. Heparin is monitored by aPTT levels, not INR.
Question 5 of 5
A patient has received an overdose of intravenous heparin, and is showing signs of excessive bleeding. Which substance is the antidote for heparin overdose?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Protamine sulfate is a specific heparin antidote and forms a complex with heparin, completely reversing its anticoagulant properties. Vitamin K is the antidote for warfarin (Coumadin) overdose. The other options are incorrect.