The nurse is administering enoxaparin (Lovenox) to a client. What is the most important lab value to monitor?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Platelet count. Enoxaparin is an anticoagulant that works by preventing blood clots. Monitoring platelet count is crucial to assess for potential thrombocytopenia, a side effect of enoxaparin that can increase the risk of bleeding. Hemoglobin (B) and White blood cell count (C) are not directly affected by enoxaparin. aPTT (D) is not the most important lab value to monitor as enoxaparin does not directly affect this clotting parameter.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Platelet count. Enoxaparin is a low molecular weight heparin that can cause thrombocytopenia, a potentially serious side effect. Monitoring platelet count is crucial to detect any decrease, as it may increase the risk of bleeding. PT/INR and aPTT are used to monitor warfarin and heparin, respectively, not enoxaparin. Hemoglobin monitoring is important for anemia but not the most crucial lab value in this scenario.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cough. ACE inhibitors can cause a persistent, dry cough due to bradykinin accumulation. It is important to monitor for this as it can indicate potential angioedema, a serious adverse effect. Hyperkalemia (B) is a potential side effect but may not be as immediate or common as cough. Hypotension (C) is a common side effect but not as crucial to monitor as cough. Dizziness (D) is a common side effect but not as significant as cough in terms of potential complications.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Blood pressure. When monitoring a client on dobutamine, the most important parameter to assess is blood pressure because dobutamine is a medication that increases heart contractility, potentially leading to increased cardiac output and subsequent changes in blood pressure. Monitoring blood pressure helps to ensure that the medication is having the desired effect without causing adverse effects such as hypertension or hypotension. Heart rate (B) can be influenced by dobutamine but is not as critical as blood pressure. Oxygen saturation (C) and respiratory rate (D) are important parameters to monitor in general but are not directly influenced by dobutamine.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: aPTT. This lab value is crucial for monitoring heparin therapy as it measures the effectiveness of the medication in preventing blood clots. Monitoring aPTT helps ensure the client is within the therapeutic range to prevent bleeding or clotting complications. Incorrect choices: B: INR is used to monitor warfarin therapy, not heparin. C: Platelet count is important, but aPTT is more directly related to heparin therapy. D: Hemoglobin is important for assessing anemia but not specific to monitoring heparin therapy.