HESI Community Health Related

Review HESI Community Health related questions and content

A client who is receiving intravenous heparin therapy has an activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) of 90 seconds. Which action should the nurse take?

  • A. Continue the heparin infusion as prescribed.
  • B. Decrease the heparin infusion rate.
  • C. Increase the heparin infusion rate.
  • D. Stop the heparin infusion and notify the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: An aPTT of 90 seconds is significantly elevated, indicating a high risk of bleeding due to excessive anticoagulation. In this case, the heparin infusion should be stopped immediately to prevent further anticoagulation and an increased bleeding risk. Notifying the healthcare provider is essential to discuss alternative anticoagulation strategies or interventions. Continuing heparin therapy without action could lead to severe bleeding complications. Decreasing or increasing the heparin infusion rate would exacerbate the risk of bleeding, making options A, B, and C incorrect.