HESI RN Exit Exam 2024 Capstone Related

Review HESI RN Exit Exam 2024 Capstone related questions and content

A client receiving IV heparin reports tarry stools and abdominal pain. What interventions should the nurse implement?

  • A. Prepare to administer warfarin.
  • B. Assess the characteristics of the client's pain.
  • C. Obtain recent partial thromboplastin time results.
  • D. Monitor stool for the presence of blood.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct intervention for the client receiving IV heparin who reports tarry stools and abdominal pain is to monitor the stool for the presence of blood. This is crucial to assess for gastrointestinal bleeding, a potential complication of heparin therapy. Assessing the characteristics of the client's pain may be helpful but is not the priority when signs of GI bleeding are present. Administering warfarin is not appropriate without a thorough assessment and confirmation of the cause of symptoms. While obtaining recent partial thromboplastin time results is important in monitoring heparin therapy, in this scenario, the immediate concern is to assess for possible GI bleeding.