Nokea
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 .
You may also like to solve these questions
Your patient calls for an appointment before going on vacation. Which medication should you ensure he has an adequate supply of before leaving to avoid life-threatening complications?
- A. Carvedilol
- B. Donepezil
- C. Bethanechol
- D. Tacrine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Abrupt carvedilol withdrawal can cause life-threatening rebound hypertension or ischemia.
The client has begun medication therapy with pancrelipase (Pancrease MT). The nurse evaluates that the medication is having the optimal intended benefit if which effect is observed?
- A. Weight loss
- B. Relief of heartburn
- C. Reduction of steatorrhea
- D. Absence of abdominal pain
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pancrelipase (Pancrease MT) is a pancreatic enzyme used in clients with pancreatitis as a digestive aid. The medication should reduce the amount of fatty stools (steatorrhea). Another intended effect could be improved nutritional status. It is not used to treat abdominal pain or heartburn. Its use could result in weight gain but should not result in weight loss if it is aiding in digestion.
Which one of the following statements is NOT true of warfarin?
- A. It is extensively 99% bound to plasma albumin
- B. Its use in pregnant women is contraindicated because it is teratogenic
- C. It is active in vitro
- D. Its induced bleeding can be conteracted by treatment with phytonadione
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Warfarin acts in vivo by inhibiting vitamin K epoxide reductase, not in vitro; thus, is false.
When providing drug therapy to a patient what is a responsibility of the nurse?
- A. Teaching the patient how to cope with the effects of the drug to ensure the best outcome
- B. Helping the patient analyze the physiological and pathological effects of drugs
- C. Warning the patient how most patients respond to the drug therapy
- D. Encouraging the patient to increase or decrease dosages
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Teaching patients how to manage drug effects promotes adherence and optimal outcomes, aligning with the nurse's educational role in drug therapy.
Pharmacokinetic factors that affect prescribing include:
- A. Therapeutic index
- B. Minimum effective concentration
- C. Bioavailability
- D. Ease of titration
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Bioavailability directly impacts how much drug reaches circulation, a key pharmacokinetic factor, unlike therapeutic index or titration ease .