Nursing Pharmacology Drug Classifications Related

Review Nursing Pharmacology Drug Classifications related questions and content

Juanita had a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and was on heparin in the hospital and was discharged on warfarin. She asks her primary care provider NP why she was getting both medications while in the hospital. The best response is to:

  • A. Contact the hospitalist as this is not the normal guideline for prescribing these two medications and she may have had a more complicated case
  • B. Explain that warfarin is often started while a patient is still on heparin because warfarin takes a few days to reach effectiveness
  • C. Encourage the patient to contact the Customer Service department at the hospital as this was most likely a medication error during her admission
  • D. Draw anticoagulation studies to make sure she does not have dangerously high bleeding times
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Warfarin's delayed onset requires heparin overlap for immediate anticoagulation; this is standard, not an error or exception .