Nokea
A client with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is receiving heparin therapy. What is the priority assessment for the nurse?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Assessing for signs of bleeding. This is the priority assessment because heparin therapy increases the risk of bleeding. Signs of bleeding include bruising, petechiae, blood in urine or stool, and excessive bleeding from wounds. Monitoring blood pressure (A) is important but not the priority in this situation. Checking aPTT (B) is important for evaluating the effectiveness of heparin therapy but does not take precedence over assessing for bleeding. Measuring calf circumference (D) is used to detect changes in calf size due to DVT but is not the priority assessment while the client is on heparin therapy.