{"id":288,"date":"2019-12-08T22:36:30","date_gmt":"2019-12-08T22:36:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/chapter\/6-12-blood-coagulation-modifiers\/"},"modified":"2025-01-16T22:29:15","modified_gmt":"2025-01-16T22:29:15","slug":"6-12-blood-coagulation-modifiers","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/chapter\/6-12-blood-coagulation-modifiers\/","title":{"raw":"6.12 Blood Coagulation Modifiers","rendered":"6.12 Blood Coagulation Modifiers"},"content":{"raw":"This section will discuss medications that affect blood coagulation and includes several types of medications, including anticoagulants, antiplatelets, and thrombolytics, as well as their associated reversal agents.\n\n<strong>[pb_glossary id=\"709\"]Anticoagulants[\/pb_glossary]<\/strong> prevent the formation of a clot by inhibiting certain types of clotting factors. Anticoagulants include the following drug classes: heparins or unfractionated heparin and low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH), warfarin (Coumadin), selective factor Xa inhibitors (rivaroxaban), and direct thrombin inhibitors (dabigatran). Antiplatelets include aspirin and other aggregation inhibitors such as clopidogrel, and thrombolytics include alteplase (tPA). All these types of medications are included on the List of High-Alert Medications (HAMs) by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) and require special safeguards to reduce the risk of errors or adverse effects.<sup>[footnote]Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). (2018). <em>ISMP list of high-alert medications in acute care settings.<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ismp.org\/sites\/default\/files\/attachments\/2018-08\/highAlert2018-Acute-Final.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.ismp.org\/sites\/default\/files\/attachments\/2018-08\/highAlert2018-Acute-Final.pdf<\/a>[\/footnote]<\/sup>\n\nThe most common anticoagulant errors in acute hospital settings are administration mistakes, including incorrect dosage calculation and infusion rates. The Health Research and Educational Trust focuses on reducing harm related to HAMs by 50% and recommends the following interventions to achieve this goal:\n<ul>\n \t<li>Educate staff based on evidence and best practices.<\/li>\n \t<li>Use standardized order sets and protocols.<\/li>\n \t<li>Perform medication reconciliation at all transitions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nSpecific interventions regarding anticoagulant therapy include standardization of protocols for withholding and restarting warfarin perioperatively, including pharmacists on rounds to provide decision support for staff administering HAMs and to reduce prescribing errors, pharmacist monitoring of anticoagulants, and pharmacist notification when rescue medications are given.<sup>[footnote]Anderson, P., &amp; Townsend, T. (2015). Preventing high-alert medication errors in hospital patients. <em>Nurse Today, 10<\/em>(5). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.americannursetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/ant5-CE-421.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.americannursetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/ant5-CE-421.pdf<\/a>[\/footnote]<\/sup>\n\nAccording to the <em>Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) 2016 Annual Report<\/em>, there is also a high risk of acute injuries for <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s taking anticoagulants outside of the hospital setting. Anticoagulants are commonly used by the elderly to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke, with an estimated 3.8 million people taking oral anticoagulants in 2016. CDC data show that adverse effects of oral anticoagulants account for more emergency department visits than any other class of drugs. Adverse effects range from gastrointestinal bleeding to cerebral hemorrhages, resulting in over 3,000 deaths in 2016.<sup>[footnote]Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). (2017). Q<em>uarterWatch\u2122 (2016 Annual Report) Part II: Oral anticoagulants\u2014The nation\u2019s top risk of acute injury from drugs.<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ismp.org\/resources\/quarterwatchtm-2016-annual-report-part-ii-oral-anticoagulants-nations-top-risk-acute\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.ismp.org\/resources\/quarterwatchtm-2016-annual-report-part-ii-oral-anticoagulants-nations-top-risk-acute<\/a>[\/footnote]<\/sup>\n\nSince 1954 warfarin has been a standard but hazardous treatment for preventing blood clots. Warfarin requires close laboratory monitoring and individual dose adjustments based on PT and INR lab results. When the pharmaceutical industry began marketing modern replacements for warfarin, including dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), and apixaban (Eliquis), they designed them to be easier to use than warfarin because no laboratory monitoring was required, but not necessarily safer. It is vital for nurses to provide thorough health teaching to <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">clients<\/span> and their caregivers regarding prescribed anticoagulants administered at home. Suggested health teaching topics are included for each type of medication below.\n<h2><a id=\"_5mty8zaepa8u\" href=\"\"><\/a>Heparin Sodium<\/h2>\nHeparin sodium is an anticoagulant that can be injected or used intravenously and is formulated in several dosages. (See Figure 6.24.)<sup>[footnote]\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Heparin_Sodium_sample.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Heparin Sodium sample.jpg<\/a>\u201d by<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/User:LHcheM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> LHcheM<\/a> is licensed under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a> and \u201cHeparin in Dextrose Injection\u201d by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cvtc.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chippewa Valley Technical College<\/a> is licensed under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CC BY 4.0<\/a>[\/footnote]<\/sup> Due to heparin being a high-alert medication, hospitals use several processes for storing and labeling the medication to help prevent errors. It is also important to note that there is a type of heparin flush often referred to as \u201cHep-Lock\u201d that is used to maintain the patency of central lines. The dosage of heparin in heparin IV flushes is much different than the heparin dose used as an intravenous medication to prevent or treat a blood clot.\n\nMost hospitals have weight-based protocols for IV heparin administration that titrate a <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>\u2019s dosage to be within a therapeutic range based on the results of a lab test called <strong>[pb_glossary id=\"704\"]partial thromboplastin time (PTT)[\/pb_glossary]<\/strong>. PTT is a blood test that looks at how long it takes for blood to clot. C<span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">lient<\/span>s receiving heparin subcutaneous injections to prevent DVTs (deep vein thrombosis) do not require PTT monitoring.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_287\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"740\"]<img class=\"wp-image-284 size-full\" title=\"&quot;Heparin Sodium sample.jpg&quot; by LHcheM is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 and &quot;Untitled&quot; by Chippewa Valley Technical College is licensed under CC BY 4.0\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accdigitalmarketing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/219\/2019\/12\/6_12-Heparin-Image.png\" alt=\"Photo of a vial of Heparin Sodium with addition image of ingredients label\" width=\"740\" height=\"336\"> Figure 6.24 Heparin Comes in Many Dosages, and Overdose Can Be Deadly, so It Is Important for the Nurse to Use Safeguards to Prevent Potential Medication Errors[\/caption]\n\n<strong>Mechanism of Action: <\/strong>Heparin inhibits the activated coagulation factors involved in the clotting sequence, particularly Xa and IIa. Heparin also prevents the formation of a stable fibrin clot by inhibiting the activation of the fibrin stabilizing factor. Heparin does not have fibrinolytic activity; therefore, it will not break down existing clots.\n\n<strong>Indications: <\/strong>IV heparin is commonly indicated for the treatment of deep venous thromboembolism (DVT) or pulmonary embolism. It is also indicated for use during an acute myocardial infarction. Subcutaneous heparin is commonly indicated to prevent DVT or embolization caused by atrial fibrillation. Heparin IV flushes (\u201cHep-Locks\u201d) are used to maintain the patency of central IV lines.\n\n<strong>Nursing Considerations: <\/strong>When bleeding requires the reversal of heparinization, protamine sulfate by slow infusion will neutralize heparin sodium.\n\nA higher incidence of bleeding has been reported in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s over 60 years of age, especially women.\n\nFatal hemorrhages have occurred due to medication errors. Carefully examine all heparin products to confirm the correct dose prior to the administration of the drug.\n\nIV heparin therapy requires close monitoring of frequent partial thromboplastin time (PTT) results to ensure dosage is in therapeutic range and to reduce the risk of overdose with associated bleeding. Dosage is considered adequate when the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is 1.5 to 2 times the normal or when the whole blood clotting time is elevated approximately 2.5 to 3 times the control value.\n\nThis drug is contraindicated in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HITT). HIT is a condition where platelets drop 30% or more below a <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>'s baseline after heparin is administered and can lead to HITT where thrombi are formed.\n\nUse with caution with medication that affects the coagulation cascade due to additive effects that increase the risk of bleeding. When a <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span> is receiving IV heparin therapy to treat a blood clot, it may be overlapped with oral warfarin to establish anticoagulation therapy after discharge. See more information about this process under the \u201cWarfarin\u201d subsection.\n\n<strong>Side Effects\/Adverse Effects: <\/strong>There is a high risk of bleeding that can lead to hemorrhaging. Notify the prescribing provider immediately of new signs of bleeding or bruising or sudden changes in vital signs that indicate internal bleeding, such as decreasing blood pressure with an associated increase in heart rate.\n\nSome <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s may develop heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) or heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HITT); therefore, heparin should be immediately discontinued.\n\n<strong>Health Teaching &amp; Health Promotion: <\/strong>Notify health care staff immediately of new signs of bleeding or bruising. Remind physicians and dentists that they are receiving heparin before any surgery or invasive procedure is scheduled.<sup>[footnote]This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>. [\/footnote]<\/sup> Cl<span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">ient<\/span>s should avoid medications containing aspirin or NSAIDS. Bleeding precautions should be taken, including the avoidance of IM injections, use of a soft toothbrush, and electric razor.<sup>[footnote]uCentral from Unbound Medicine. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral<\/a>[\/footnote]<\/sup>\n\nNow let's take a closer look at the medication grid for heparin in Table 6.12a.<sup>[footnote]This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>. [\/footnote]<\/sup>\n\nTable 6.12a Heparin Medication Grid\n<table class=\"grid\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Class\/<\/strong><strong>Subclass<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Prototype\/G<\/strong><strong>eneric<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Nursing <\/strong><strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Therapeutic Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Side\/Adverse Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Anticoagulant<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><a class=\"arrow\" href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=cb1c1e7a-c9ca-4a07-8833-e45ce436d287\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">heparin<\/a><\/td>\n<td>Injection (subq) or IV\n\nCarefully examine all heparin products to confirm the correct choice prior to administration\n\nClosely monitor PTT levels in IV therapy to ensure in therapeutic range\n\nProtamine sulfate is the reversal agent<\/td>\n<td>Prevent or treat clots<\/td>\n<td>High risk of bleeding\n\nRisk of gastrointestinal or cerebral hemorrhage, especially in elderly\n\nRisk of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HITT)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><a id=\"_9z5m6bjq5n3o\" href=\"\"><\/a>Low-Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH)<\/h2>\nEnoxaparin (Lovenox) is a low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) that is supplied in a prefilled syringe (see Figure 6.25).<sup>[footnote]\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/photos\/syringe-disposable-syringe-blister-103059\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">syringe-disposable-syringe-blister-103059<\/a>\u201d by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/stux-12364\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">stux<\/a> is licensed under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/cc0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CC0<\/a>[\/footnote]<\/sup>\u00a0LMWH heparin formulations do not require lab monitoring.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"557\"]<img title=\"&quot;syringe-disposable-syringe-blister-103059&quot; by stux is licensed under CC0\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accdigitalmarketing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/219\/2025\/01\/image4-2.png\" alt=\"Photo showing enoxaparin in prefilled syringe\" width=\"557\" height=\"371\"> Figure 6.25 Enoxaparin in Prefilled Syringe[\/caption]\n\n<strong>Mechanism of Action: <\/strong>Enoxaparin is a low-molecular weight heparin, which has antithrombotic properties with a higher ratio of anti-Factor Xa to anti-Factor IIa activity compared to heparin.\n\n<strong>Indications: <\/strong>It is indicated for the prevention and treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which may lead to pulmonary embolism (PE). It is also used in combination with aspirin for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction.\n\n<strong>Nursing Considerations: <\/strong>Enoxaparin is administered subcutaneously and preferably in the abdomen for best absorption.\n\nSafety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s. The risk of bleeding increases with age, especially if used concurrently with antiplatelet medications.\n\nUse with caution in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with renal impairment; risk of bleeding is increased. A dosage adjustment is recommended for <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with severe renal impairment.\n\nOverdosage can be neutralized with a slow IV infusion of protamine sulfate.\n\n<strong>Side Effects\/Adverse Effects:\u00a0<\/strong>There is a risk of bleeding and hemorrhaging, especially following percutaneous coronary revascularization procedures or with concurrent medication conditions such as recent GI ulcer. It may cause heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) or heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis (HITT).<sup>[footnote]This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Daily Med<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>. [\/footnote]<\/sup>\n\n<strong>Boxed Warning:<\/strong> Epidural or spinal hematomas may occur in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s who are anticoagulated with low-molecular weight heparins (LMWH) and are receiving neuraxial anesthesia or undergoing spinal puncture. These hematomas may result in long-term or permanent paralysis.\n\n<strong>Health Teaching &amp; Health Promotion: <\/strong>Notify health care staff immediately of new signs of bleeding or bruising. Remind physicians and dentists that they are receiving heparin before any surgery or invasive procedure is scheduled.<sup>[footnote]This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>. [\/footnote]<\/sup> C<span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">lient<\/span>s should avoid medications containing aspirin or NSAIDS.<sup>[footnote]uCentral from Unbound Medicine. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral<\/a>[\/footnote]<\/sup>\n\nNow let's take a closer look at the medication grid on enoxaparin in Table 6.12b.<sup>[footnote]This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>. [\/footnote]<\/sup>\n\nTable 6.12b Enoxaparin Medication Grid<sup>[footnote]This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Public Domain<\/a>. [\/footnote]<\/sup>\n<table class=\"grid\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 47px\">\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Class\/<\/strong><strong>Subclass<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Prototype\/G<\/strong><strong>eneric<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" sscope=\"col\"><strong>Nursing <\/strong><strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Therapeutic Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Side\/Adverse Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 20px\">\n<th style=\"width: scope=\"><strong>Anticoagulant<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><a class=\"arrow\" href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3e6bf2b3-9339-4104-bda3-ad86a1949703\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">enoxaparin<\/a><\/td>\n<td>Use with caution in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with kidney disease\n\nIf used for a <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span> undergoing neuraxial anesthesia or a spinal puncture, monitor frequently for neurological impairment. If neurological compromise is noted, urgent treatment is necessary<\/td>\n<td>Prevention or treatment of DVT or PE<\/td>\n<td>Bleeding\n\nRisk of hemorrhage\n\nThrombocytopenia, HIT, or HITT<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><a id=\"_4wjsejj6nter\" href=\"\"><\/a>Warfarin<\/h2>\nWarfarin (Coumadin) is an oral anticoagulant formulated in various strengths in different colors to help prevent errors when <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s self-administer different dosages at home (see Figure 6.26<sup>[footnote]\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Warfarintablets5-3-1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Warfarintablets5-3-1.jpg<\/a>\u201d by <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/User:Gonegonegone\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gonegonegone<\/a> is licensed under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a>[\/footnote]<\/sup>). Close monitoring of <strong>[pb_glossary id=\"705\"]prothrombin time (PT)<span style=\"font-size: 1em\">[\/pb_glossary]<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 1em\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">or <strong>[pb_glossary id=\"706\"]<\/strong><\/span><strong>international normalized ratio (INR)<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 1em\"><strong>[\/pb_glossary]<\/strong> <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 1em;text-align: initial\">is required.<\/span>\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"452\"]<img class=\"\" title=\"&quot;Warfarintablets5-3-1.jpg&quot; by Gonegonegone is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accdigitalmarketing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/219\/2025\/01\/image5-1.png\" alt=\"Photo of a package of warfarin showing tablets.\" width=\"452\" height=\"280\"> Figure 6.26 Warfarin, an Oral Pill With Various Strengths in Different Colors[\/caption]\n\n<strong>Mechanism of Action: <\/strong>Warfarin acts by inhibiting the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, which include Factors II, VII, IX, and X and the anticoagulant proteins C and S.\n\n<strong>Indications: <\/strong>Warfarin is indicated for the following:\n<ul>\n \t<li>Prophylaxis and treatment of venous thrombosis and its extension, pulmonary embolism (PE).<\/li>\n \t<li>Prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic complications associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and\/or cardiac valve replacement.<\/li>\n \t<li>Reduction in the risk of death, recurrent myocardial infarction (MI), and thromboembolic events such as stroke or systemic embolization after myocardial infarction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<strong>Nursing Considerations: <\/strong>Warfarin is contraindicated in pregnant women except for those with mechanical heart valves; it can cause fetal harm.\n\nVitamin K is the reversal agent. Fresh frozen plasma may be considered if the requirement to reverse the effects of warfarin sodium is urgent.\n\nClose monitoring of prothrombin time (PT) or international normalized ratio (INR) is required. Therapeutic INR ranges from 2.0 to 3.5, depending on the indication.\n\nIn hospitalized <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s receiving heparin therapy, there is often a period of overlap where the <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span> is prescribed both IV heparin and warfarin until the INR reaches therapeutic range. At that point, the IV heparin is discontinued.\n\nWarfarin has significant interactions with many medications; read drug label information before administering.\n\nWarfarin sodium is contraindicated in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with many conditions, including, but not limited to, the following:\n<ul>\n \t<li>Hemorrhagic tendencies or blood dyscrasias<\/li>\n \t<li>Recent or contemplated surgery of the central nervous system or eye or traumatic surgery resulting in large open surfaces<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nBleeding tendencies are associated with the following:\n<ul>\n \t<li>Active ulceration or overt bleeding of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, or respiratory tracts<\/li>\n \t<li>Central nervous system hemorrhage<\/li>\n \t<li>Cerebral aneurysms and dissecting aorta<\/li>\n \t<li>Pericarditis and pericardial effusions<\/li>\n \t<li>Bacterial endocarditis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<strong>Side Effects\/Adverse Effects: <\/strong><strong>Boxed Warning:<\/strong> Warfarin can cause major or fatal bleeding. Perform regular monitoring of INR in all treated <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s. Drugs, dietary changes, and other factors affect INR levels achieved with warfarin therapy. Instruct <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s about prevention measures to minimize risk of bleeding and to report signs and symptoms of bleeding. Warfarin can cause acute kidney injury, and bleeding risks are increased in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with liver disease.\n\n<strong>Health Teaching &amp; Health Promotion: <\/strong>Advise <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s to follow these instructions:\n<ul>\n \t<li>Avoid alcohol, cranberries, and grapefruit as they increase the effect of warfarin and the risk for bleeding.<\/li>\n \t<li>Strictly adhere to the prescribed dosage schedule.<\/li>\n \t<li>Follow INR monitoring guidelines as provided by the provider.<\/li>\n \t<li>Avoid any activity or sport that may result in traumatic injury.<\/li>\n \t<li>Tell their provider if they experience frequent falls because warfarin can increase their risk for bleeding in the brain.<\/li>\n \t<li>Eat a normal, balanced diet to maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K (such as green, leafy vegetables).<\/li>\n \t<li>Tell all health care professionals and dentists that they are taking warfarin, especially before surgery or dental procedures.<\/li>\n \t<li>Use electric razors instead of straight razors.<\/li>\n \t<li>Carry identification stating that they are taking warfarin.<\/li>\n \t<li>Notify their provider immediately if any unusual bleeding or symptoms occur, such as pain, swelling or discomfort, prolonged bleeding from cuts, increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding, nosebleeds, bleeding of gums from brushing, unusual bleeding or bruising, red or dark brown urine, red or tar black stools, headache, dizziness, or weakness.<sup>[footnote]This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>. [\/footnote]<\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nNow let's take a closer look at the medication grid on warfarin in Table 6.12c.<sup>[footnote]This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>. [\/footnote]<\/sup>\n\nTable 6.12c Warfarin Medication Grid\n<table class=\"grid\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%;height: 70px\" border=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 47px\">\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Class\/<\/strong><strong>Subclass<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Prototype\/G<\/strong><strong>eneric<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Nursing <\/strong><strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Therapeutic Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Side\/Adverse Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 23px\">\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Anticoagulant<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><a class=\"arrow\" href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=558b7a0d-5490-4c1b-802e-3ab3f1efe760\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">warfarin<\/a><\/td>\n<td>Oral route\n\nVitamin K is the antidote\n\nMonitor INR results before administering medication\n\nUse with caution in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with liver disease<\/td>\n<td>Prevent DVT or PE<\/td>\n<td>Bleeding\n\nHemorrhage<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n&nbsp;\n<div class=\"__UNKNOWN__\">\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--examples\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<h2>Critical Thinking Activity 6.12<img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-67\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accdigitalmarketing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/219\/2019\/10\/ORN-Icons_internet-copy_internet-copy-300x300-1-150x150.png\" alt=\"Image of a circle containing a speech bubble with a question mark in it.\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\"><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\" style=\"text-align: left\">\n\nA <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span> who was treated in the hospital for DVT in his left leg has been prescribed warfarin.\n\n1. The <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span> asks, \u201cWill the warfarin dissolve the clot in my leg?\u201d What is the nurse\u2019s best response?\n\nThe nurse plans to assess the <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>\u2019s lab work before administering the warfarin.\n\n2. What blood test(s) are important to monitor for <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s taking warfarin, and what is the therapeutic range?\n\nThe nurse knows that the <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span> will need to monitor his diet when taking warfarin.\n\n3. What dietary instructions should be provided to the <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>?\n\nThe nurse plans to provide health teaching regarding this newly prescribed medication.\n\n4. Outline the topics to cover with this high-risk medication.\n\n5. What is the reversal agent for warfarin?\n\nNote: Answers to the Critical Thinking activities can be found in the \"<a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/chapter\/chapter-6\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Answer Key<\/a>\" section at the end of the book.\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><a id=\"_l8dl8yjnjra\" href=\"\"><\/a>Rivaroxaban<\/h2>\nRivaroxaban (Xarelto) is a selective Xa inhibitor.\n\n<strong>Mechanism of Action: <\/strong>Rivaroxaban is a selective inhibitor of factor Xa and indirectly inhibits platelet aggregation induced by thrombin.\n\n<strong>Indications: <\/strong>Rivaroxaban is indicated for prevention or treatment of DVT and PE. In combination with aspirin, it is indicated to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as cardiovascular (CV) death, myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke and in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with chronic coronary artery disease, (CAD) or peripheral artery disease (PAD).\n\n<strong>Nursing Considerations: <\/strong>For overdose, activated charcoal can be used to reduce absorption, and Andexxa is a reversal agent.\n\nAvoid in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with moderate to severe liver impairment. Report any unusual bleeding or bruising.\n\n<strong>Side Effects\/Adverse Effects:\u00a0<\/strong>Risk of bleeding can be fatal.<sup>[footnote]This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>. [\/footnote]<\/sup>\n\n<strong>Boxed Warning:<\/strong> Epidural or spinal hematomas may occur in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s who are anticoagulated with rivaroxaban and are receiving neuraxial anesthesia or undergoing spinal puncture. These hematomas may result in long-term or permanent paralysis.\n\n<strong>Health Teaching &amp; Health Promotion: <\/strong>C<span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">lient<\/span>s should report any signs of unusual bleeding or bruising to the health care provider. The <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span> should also notify the provider of all prescriptions, OTC medications, vitamins, and herbal products.<sup>[footnote]uCentral from Unbound Medicine. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral<\/a>[\/footnote]<\/sup>\n\nNow let's take a closer look at the medication grid on rivaroxaban in Table 6.12d.<sup>[footnote]This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>. [\/footnote]<\/sup>\n\nTable 6.12d Rivaroxaban Medication Grid\n<table class=\"grid\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%;height: 94px\" border=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 47px\">\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Class\/<\/strong><strong>Subclass<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Prototype\/G<\/strong><strong>eneric<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Nursing <\/strong><strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Therapeutic Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Side\/Adverse Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 47px\">\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Selective Xa Inhibitor<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><a class=\"arrow\" href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=7e9ab975-db2f-423c-a089-bc5a73313609\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">rivaroxaban<\/a><\/td>\n<td>Activated charcoal or Andexxa can be used in overdose\n\nAvoid in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with liver impairment<\/td>\n<td>Prevent DVT and PE and risk of severe cardiovascular events<\/td>\n<td>Bleeding\n\nEpidural or spinal hematomas if neuraxial anesthesia or spinal puncture<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><a id=\"_hhq5gyqu7802\" href=\"\"><\/a>Dabigatran<\/h2>\nDabigatran (Pradaxa) is a direct-acting thrombin inhibitor.\n\n<strong>Mechanism of Action: <\/strong>Dabigatran is a competitive, direct thrombin inhibitor. Because thrombin enables the conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin during the coagulation cascade, its inhibition prevents the development of a thrombus.\n\n<strong>Indications: <\/strong>This drug is used to prevent or treat deep vein thromboses (DVT) or pulmonary emboli (PE).\n\n<strong>Nursing Considerations:<\/strong> If an overdose occurs, idarucizumab, a specific reversal agent, is available.\n\nSafety and effectiveness in pediatric <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s have not been established.\n\n<strong>Side Effects\/Adverse Effects:\u00a0<\/strong>Risk of bleeding can be fatal.<sup>[footnote]This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>. [\/footnote]<\/sup>\n\n<strong>Boxed Warning:<\/strong> Epidural or spinal hematomas may occur in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s who are anticoagulated with dabigatran and are receiving neuraxial anesthesia or undergoing spinal puncture. These hematomas may result in long-term or permanent paralysis<strong>.<\/strong>\n\n<strong>Health Teaching &amp; Health Promotion: <\/strong>C<span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">lient<\/span>s should report any signs of unusual bleeding or bruising to the health care provider. Additionally, dabigatran bottles should be disposed of four months after opening. The <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span> should also notify the provider of all prescriptions, OTC medications, vitamins, and herbal products.<sup>[footnote]uCentral from Unbound Medicine. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral<\/a>[\/footnote]<\/sup>\n\nNow let's take a closer look at the medication grid for dabigatran in Table 6.12e.<sup>[footnote]This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>. [\/footnote]<\/sup>\n\nTable 6.12e Dabigatran Medication Grid\n<table class=\"grid\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%;height: 75px\" border=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 52px\">\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Class\/<\/strong><strong>Subclass<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Prototype\/G<\/strong><strong>eneric<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Nursing <\/strong><strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Therapeutic Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Side\/Adverse Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 23px\">\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Direct-acting Thrombin Inhibitor<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><a class=\"arrow\" href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ba74e3cd-b06f-4145-b284-5fd6b84ff3c9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">dabigatran<\/a><\/td>\n<td>Idarucizumab is a specific reversal agent<\/td>\n<td>Prevent or treat DVT or PE<\/td>\n<td>Risk of bleeding that can be fatal\n\nEpidural or spinal hematomas if receiving neuraxial anesthesia or undergoing spinal puncture<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><a id=\"_fytixlw4nmjo\" href=\"\"><\/a>Antiplatelets<\/h2>\nAcetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and clopidogrel (Plavix) are antiplatelet medications.\n\nDuring an active myocardial infarction (heart attack), chewable aspirin is used due to its rapid absorption (see Figure 6.27<sup>[footnote]\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/jeepersmedia\/15563763373\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bayer Aspirin Low Dose<\/a>\u201d by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/jeepersmedia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mike Mozart<\/a> is licensed under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CC BY 2.0<\/a>[\/footnote]<\/sup>).\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"483\"]<img class=\"\" title=\"&quot;Bayer Aspirin Low Dose&quot; by Mike Mozart is licensed under CC BY 2.0\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accdigitalmarketing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/219\/2025\/01\/image6-2.png\" alt=\"Photo showing closeup of Bayer brand aspirin package\" width=\"483\" height=\"303\"> Figure 6.27 Chewable Aspirin[\/caption]\n\n<strong>Mechanism of Action: <\/strong>Aspirin inhibits platelet activation and aggregation.\n\n<strong>Indications: <\/strong>Aspirin is indicated in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with established peripheral arterial disease or a history of recent myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke to reduce the rate of MI and stroke. It is also indicated to reduce the rate of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">clients<\/span> with ST-elevation and non\u2013ST-segment elevation ACS.\n\n<strong>Nursing Considerations: <\/strong>It is important to remember that the effects of these medications last the life of the platelet (7-10 days), so aspirin will need to be withheld for several days before surgery or certain procedures to prevent excessive bleeding. In elderly <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s, there is an increased risk of bleeding events with concurrent use of clopidogrel plus aspirin. Aspirin is contraindicated in children under the age of 12 with flu-like symptoms due to the risk of Reye\u2019s syndrome.\n\nOverdose is irreversible.\n\nClopidogrel is metabolized to its active metabolite by CYP2C19. Concomitant use of drugs that inhibit the activity of this enzyme results in reduced plasma concentrations of the active metabolite of clopidogrel and a reduction in platelet inhibition.\n\n<strong>Side Effects\/Adverse Effects: <\/strong>There is increased risk of bleeding.\n\n<strong>Boxed Warning:<\/strong> There is reduced effectiveness for <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s referred to as \u201cCYP2C19 poor metabolizers.\u201d\n\n<strong>Health Teaching &amp; Health Promotion: <\/strong>C<span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">lient<\/span>s should report tinnitus, unusual bleeding of the gums, bruising, or blood in the stool to the health care provider immediately. While on antiplatelet therapy, <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s should avoid alcohol to prevent gastric irritation. Additionally, <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s should avoid NSAIDs while receiving antiplatelet therapy.<sup>[footnote]uCentral from Unbound Medicine. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral<\/a>[\/footnote]<\/sup>\n\nNow let's take a closer look at the medication grid for acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel in Table 6.12f.<sup>[footnote]This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>. [\/footnote]<\/sup>\n\nTable 6.12f Acetylsalicylic Acid and Clopidogrel Medication Grid\n<table class=\"grid\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%\" border=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Class\/<\/strong><strong>Subclass<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Prototype\/G<\/strong><strong>eneric<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Nursing <\/strong><strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Therapeutic Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Side\/Adverse Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Antiplatelet<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><a class=\"arrow\" href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=2cec3d3d-21d9-476c-e054-00144ff88e88\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)<\/a>\n\n<a class=\"arrow\" href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=0078fb3d-3595-4ae1-a059-1d5e81c879cf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">clopidogrel<\/a><\/td>\n<td>Administer with food to reduce risk of GI upset and bleeding\n\nMonitor for bleeding\n\nEffects last for 7-10 days<\/td>\n<td>Reduce risk of MI and stroke<\/td>\n<td>Increased risk of bleeding<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><a id=\"_xcmr8vm42uo7\" href=\"\"><\/a>Alteplase (tPA)<\/h2>\nAlteplase (tPA) is a thrombolytic used to break up clots. It has a very short half-life of five minutes so it can open a clogged artery rapidly. It is often given with heparin to prevent reocclusion of the affected blood vessel. There is also a smaller dosage form that is used to flush clogged IV or arterial lines.<sup>[footnote]McCuistion, L., Vuljoin-DiMaggio, K., Winton, M., &amp; Yeager, J. (2018). <em>Pharmacology: A patient-centered nursing process approach.<\/em> pp. 443-454. Elsevier.[\/footnote]<\/sup>\n\n<strong>Mechanism of Action: <\/strong>Alteplase binds to fibrin in a thrombus and converts the entrapped plasminogen to plasmin, thus breaking down the clot.\n\n<strong>Indications: <\/strong>Alteplase is indicated for the acute treatment of myocardial infarction (MI), ischemic stroke, or massive pulmonary embolism (PE). It is also used to clear central lines such as a peripherally inserted central line catheter (PICC).\n\n<strong>Nursing Considerations: <\/strong>The drug is contraindicated in situations in which the risk of significant bleeding is greater than the potential benefit such as the following:\n<ul>\n \t<li>Active internal or intracranial bleeding<\/li>\n \t<li>History of recent stroke<\/li>\n \t<li>Recent (within three months) intracranial or intraspinal surgery or serious head trauma<\/li>\n \t<li>Presence of intracranial conditions that may increase the risk of bleeding (e.g., some neoplasms, arteriovenous malformations, or aneurysms)<\/li>\n \t<li>Current severe uncontrolled hypertension<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nA CT scan of the head is completed prior to administration because hemorrhagic stroke and brain tumors are contraindications. Significant post-administration monitoring is performed due to the risk of life-threatening bleeding.\n\n<strong>Side Effects\/Adverse Effects: <\/strong>This drug can cause significant, sometimes fatal, internal or external bleeding, especially at arterial and venous puncture sites. Avoid intramuscular injections and perform venipunctures carefully and only as required. It can increase the risk of thrombo-embolic events in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with high likelihood of left heart thrombus, such as clients with atrial fibrillation.\n\n<strong>Health Teaching &amp; Health Promotion: <\/strong>C<span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">lient<\/span>s must institute bleeding precautions to prevent complications of therapy.<sup>[footnote]uCentral from Unbound Medicine. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral<\/a>[\/footnote]<\/sup>\n\nNow let's take a closer look at the medication grid for alteplase in Table 6.12g.<sup>[footnote]This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>. [\/footnote]<\/sup>\n\nTable 6.12g Alteplase Medication Grid\n<table class=\"grid\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%\" border=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Class\/<\/strong><strong>Subclass<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Prototype\/G<\/strong><strong>eneric<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Nursing <\/strong><strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Therapeutic Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Side\/Adverse Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Thrombolytic<\/strong><\/th>\n<td>\u00a0<a class=\"arrow\" href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c669f77c-fa48-478b-a14b-80b20a0139c2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">alteplase<\/a><a class=\"rId47\" href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c669f77c-fa48-478b-a14b-80b20a0139c2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> (tPA)<\/a><\/td>\n<td>Contraindicated in many conditions where the risk of bleeding outweighs the potential benefit<\/td>\n<td>Break down a life-threatening clot in MI, stroke, or massive PE<\/td>\n<td>Risk of severe bleeding that can be fatal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n&nbsp;","rendered":"<p>This section will discuss medications that affect blood coagulation and includes several types of medications, including anticoagulants, antiplatelets, and thrombolytics, as well as their associated reversal agents.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_288_709\">Anticoagulants<\/a><\/strong> prevent the formation of a clot by inhibiting certain types of clotting factors. Anticoagulants include the following drug classes: heparins or unfractionated heparin and low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH), warfarin (Coumadin), selective factor Xa inhibitors (rivaroxaban), and direct thrombin inhibitors (dabigatran). Antiplatelets include aspirin and other aggregation inhibitors such as clopidogrel, and thrombolytics include alteplase (tPA). All these types of medications are included on the List of High-Alert Medications (HAMs) by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) and require special safeguards to reduce the risk of errors or adverse effects.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). (2018). ISMP list of high-alert medications in acute care settings. https:\/\/www.ismp.org\/sites\/default\/files\/attachments\/2018-08\/highAlert2018-Acute-Final.pdf\" id=\"return-footnote-288-1\" href=\"#footnote-288-1\" aria-label=\"Footnote 1\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[1]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>The most common anticoagulant errors in acute hospital settings are administration mistakes, including incorrect dosage calculation and infusion rates. The Health Research and Educational Trust focuses on reducing harm related to HAMs by 50% and recommends the following interventions to achieve this goal:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Educate staff based on evidence and best practices.<\/li>\n<li>Use standardized order sets and protocols.<\/li>\n<li>Perform medication reconciliation at all transitions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Specific interventions regarding anticoagulant therapy include standardization of protocols for withholding and restarting warfarin perioperatively, including pharmacists on rounds to provide decision support for staff administering HAMs and to reduce prescribing errors, pharmacist monitoring of anticoagulants, and pharmacist notification when rescue medications are given.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Anderson, P., &amp; Townsend, T. (2015). Preventing high-alert medication errors in hospital patients. Nurse Today, 10(5). https:\/\/www.americannursetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/ant5-CE-421.pdf\" id=\"return-footnote-288-2\" href=\"#footnote-288-2\" aria-label=\"Footnote 2\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[2]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>According to the <em>Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) 2016 Annual Report<\/em>, there is also a high risk of acute injuries for <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s taking anticoagulants outside of the hospital setting. Anticoagulants are commonly used by the elderly to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke, with an estimated 3.8 million people taking oral anticoagulants in 2016. CDC data show that adverse effects of oral anticoagulants account for more emergency department visits than any other class of drugs. Adverse effects range from gastrointestinal bleeding to cerebral hemorrhages, resulting in over 3,000 deaths in 2016.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). (2017). QuarterWatch\u2122 (2016 Annual Report) Part II: Oral anticoagulants\u2014The nation\u2019s top risk of acute injury from drugs. https:\/\/www.ismp.org\/resources\/quarterwatchtm-2016-annual-report-part-ii-oral-anticoagulants-nations-top-risk-acute\" id=\"return-footnote-288-3\" href=\"#footnote-288-3\" aria-label=\"Footnote 3\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[3]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Since 1954 warfarin has been a standard but hazardous treatment for preventing blood clots. Warfarin requires close laboratory monitoring and individual dose adjustments based on PT and INR lab results. When the pharmaceutical industry began marketing modern replacements for warfarin, including dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), and apixaban (Eliquis), they designed them to be easier to use than warfarin because no laboratory monitoring was required, but not necessarily safer. It is vital for nurses to provide thorough health teaching to <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">clients<\/span> and their caregivers regarding prescribed anticoagulants administered at home. Suggested health teaching topics are included for each type of medication below.<\/p>\n<h2><a id=\"_5mty8zaepa8u\" href=\"\"><\/a>Heparin Sodium<\/h2>\n<p>Heparin sodium is an anticoagulant that can be injected or used intravenously and is formulated in several dosages. (See Figure 6.24.)<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"\u201cHeparin Sodium sample.jpg\u201d by LHcheM is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 and \u201cHeparin in Dextrose Injection\u201d by Chippewa Valley Technical College is licensed under CC BY 4.0\" id=\"return-footnote-288-4\" href=\"#footnote-288-4\" aria-label=\"Footnote 4\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[4]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup> Due to heparin being a high-alert medication, hospitals use several processes for storing and labeling the medication to help prevent errors. It is also important to note that there is a type of heparin flush often referred to as \u201cHep-Lock\u201d that is used to maintain the patency of central lines. The dosage of heparin in heparin IV flushes is much different than the heparin dose used as an intravenous medication to prevent or treat a blood clot.<\/p>\n<p>Most hospitals have weight-based protocols for IV heparin administration that titrate a <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>\u2019s dosage to be within a therapeutic range based on the results of a lab test called <strong><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_288_704\">partial thromboplastin time (PTT)<\/a><\/strong>. PTT is a blood test that looks at how long it takes for blood to clot. C<span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">lient<\/span>s receiving heparin subcutaneous injections to prevent DVTs (deep vein thrombosis) do not require PTT monitoring.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_287\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-287\" style=\"width: 740px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-284 size-full\" title=\"&quot;Heparin Sodium sample.jpg&quot; by LHcheM is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 and &quot;Untitled&quot; by Chippewa Valley Technical College is licensed under CC BY 4.0\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accdigitalmarketing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/219\/2019\/12\/6_12-Heparin-Image.png\" alt=\"Photo of a vial of Heparin Sodium with addition image of ingredients label\" width=\"740\" height=\"336\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/219\/2019\/12\/6_12-Heparin-Image.png 740w, https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/219\/2019\/12\/6_12-Heparin-Image-300x136.png 300w, https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/219\/2019\/12\/6_12-Heparin-Image-65x30.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/219\/2019\/12\/6_12-Heparin-Image-225x102.png 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/219\/2019\/12\/6_12-Heparin-Image-350x159.png 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-287\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 6.24 Heparin Comes in Many Dosages, and Overdose Can Be Deadly, so It Is Important for the Nurse to Use Safeguards to Prevent Potential Medication Errors<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Mechanism of Action: <\/strong>Heparin inhibits the activated coagulation factors involved in the clotting sequence, particularly Xa and IIa. Heparin also prevents the formation of a stable fibrin clot by inhibiting the activation of the fibrin stabilizing factor. Heparin does not have fibrinolytic activity; therefore, it will not break down existing clots.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Indications: <\/strong>IV heparin is commonly indicated for the treatment of deep venous thromboembolism (DVT) or pulmonary embolism. It is also indicated for use during an acute myocardial infarction. Subcutaneous heparin is commonly indicated to prevent DVT or embolization caused by atrial fibrillation. Heparin IV flushes (\u201cHep-Locks\u201d) are used to maintain the patency of central IV lines.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nursing Considerations: <\/strong>When bleeding requires the reversal of heparinization, protamine sulfate by slow infusion will neutralize heparin sodium.<\/p>\n<p>A higher incidence of bleeding has been reported in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s over 60 years of age, especially women.<\/p>\n<p>Fatal hemorrhages have occurred due to medication errors. Carefully examine all heparin products to confirm the correct dose prior to the administration of the drug.<\/p>\n<p>IV heparin therapy requires close monitoring of frequent partial thromboplastin time (PTT) results to ensure dosage is in therapeutic range and to reduce the risk of overdose with associated bleeding. Dosage is considered adequate when the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is 1.5 to 2 times the normal or when the whole blood clotting time is elevated approximately 2.5 to 3 times the control value.<\/p>\n<p>This drug is contraindicated in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HITT). HIT is a condition where platelets drop 30% or more below a <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>&#8216;s baseline after heparin is administered and can lead to HITT where thrombi are formed.<\/p>\n<p>Use with caution with medication that affects the coagulation cascade due to additive effects that increase the risk of bleeding. When a <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span> is receiving IV heparin therapy to treat a blood clot, it may be overlapped with oral warfarin to establish anticoagulation therapy after discharge. See more information about this process under the \u201cWarfarin\u201d subsection.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Side Effects\/Adverse Effects: <\/strong>There is a high risk of bleeding that can lead to hemorrhaging. Notify the prescribing provider immediately of new signs of bleeding or bruising or sudden changes in vital signs that indicate internal bleeding, such as decreasing blood pressure with an associated increase in heart rate.<\/p>\n<p>Some <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s may develop heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) or heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HITT); therefore, heparin should be immediately discontinued.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Health Teaching &amp; Health Promotion: <\/strong>Notify health care staff immediately of new signs of bleeding or bruising. Remind physicians and dentists that they are receiving heparin before any surgery or invasive procedure is scheduled.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"This work is a derivative of DailyMed by U.S. National Library of Medicine in the Public Domain.\" id=\"return-footnote-288-5\" href=\"#footnote-288-5\" aria-label=\"Footnote 5\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[5]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup> Cl<span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">ient<\/span>s should avoid medications containing aspirin or NSAIDS. Bleeding precautions should be taken, including the avoidance of IM injections, use of a soft toothbrush, and electric razor.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"uCentral from Unbound Medicine. https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral\" id=\"return-footnote-288-6\" href=\"#footnote-288-6\" aria-label=\"Footnote 6\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[6]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Now let&#8217;s take a closer look at the medication grid for heparin in Table 6.12a.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"This work is a derivative of DailyMed by U.S. National Library of Medicine in the Public Domain.\" id=\"return-footnote-288-7\" href=\"#footnote-288-7\" aria-label=\"Footnote 7\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[7]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Table 6.12a Heparin Medication Grid<\/p>\n<table class=\"grid\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Class\/<\/strong><strong>Subclass<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Prototype\/G<\/strong><strong>eneric<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Nursing <\/strong><strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Therapeutic Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Side\/Adverse Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Anticoagulant<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><a class=\"arrow\" href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=cb1c1e7a-c9ca-4a07-8833-e45ce436d287\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">heparin<\/a><\/td>\n<td>Injection (subq) or IV<\/p>\n<p>Carefully examine all heparin products to confirm the correct choice prior to administration<\/p>\n<p>Closely monitor PTT levels in IV therapy to ensure in therapeutic range<\/p>\n<p>Protamine sulfate is the reversal agent<\/td>\n<td>Prevent or treat clots<\/td>\n<td>High risk of bleeding<\/p>\n<p>Risk of gastrointestinal or cerebral hemorrhage, especially in elderly<\/p>\n<p>Risk of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HITT)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><a id=\"_9z5m6bjq5n3o\" href=\"\"><\/a>Low-Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH)<\/h2>\n<p>Enoxaparin (Lovenox) is a low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) that is supplied in a prefilled syringe (see Figure 6.25).<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"\u201csyringe-disposable-syringe-blister-103059\u201d by stux is licensed under CC0\" id=\"return-footnote-288-8\" href=\"#footnote-288-8\" aria-label=\"Footnote 8\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[8]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup>\u00a0LMWH heparin formulations do not require lab monitoring.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 557px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"&quot;syringe-disposable-syringe-blister-103059&quot; by stux is licensed under CC0\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accdigitalmarketing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/219\/2025\/01\/image4-2.png\" alt=\"Photo showing enoxaparin in prefilled syringe\" width=\"557\" height=\"371\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 6.25 Enoxaparin in Prefilled Syringe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Mechanism of Action: <\/strong>Enoxaparin is a low-molecular weight heparin, which has antithrombotic properties with a higher ratio of anti-Factor Xa to anti-Factor IIa activity compared to heparin.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Indications: <\/strong>It is indicated for the prevention and treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which may lead to pulmonary embolism (PE). It is also used in combination with aspirin for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nursing Considerations: <\/strong>Enoxaparin is administered subcutaneously and preferably in the abdomen for best absorption.<\/p>\n<p>Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s. The risk of bleeding increases with age, especially if used concurrently with antiplatelet medications.<\/p>\n<p>Use with caution in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with renal impairment; risk of bleeding is increased. A dosage adjustment is recommended for <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with severe renal impairment.<\/p>\n<p>Overdosage can be neutralized with a slow IV infusion of protamine sulfate.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Side Effects\/Adverse Effects:\u00a0<\/strong>There is a risk of bleeding and hemorrhaging, especially following percutaneous coronary revascularization procedures or with concurrent medication conditions such as recent GI ulcer. It may cause heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) or heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis (HITT).<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"This work is a derivative of Daily Med by U.S. National Library of Medicine in the Public Domain.\" id=\"return-footnote-288-9\" href=\"#footnote-288-9\" aria-label=\"Footnote 9\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[9]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<p><strong>Boxed Warning:<\/strong> Epidural or spinal hematomas may occur in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s who are anticoagulated with low-molecular weight heparins (LMWH) and are receiving neuraxial anesthesia or undergoing spinal puncture. These hematomas may result in long-term or permanent paralysis.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Health Teaching &amp; Health Promotion: <\/strong>Notify health care staff immediately of new signs of bleeding or bruising. Remind physicians and dentists that they are receiving heparin before any surgery or invasive procedure is scheduled.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"This work is a derivative of DailyMed by U.S. National Library of Medicine in the Public Domain.\" id=\"return-footnote-288-10\" href=\"#footnote-288-10\" aria-label=\"Footnote 10\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[10]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup> C<span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">lient<\/span>s should avoid medications containing aspirin or NSAIDS.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"uCentral from Unbound Medicine. https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral\" id=\"return-footnote-288-11\" href=\"#footnote-288-11\" aria-label=\"Footnote 11\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[11]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Now let&#8217;s take a closer look at the medication grid on enoxaparin in Table 6.12b.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"This work is a derivative of DailyMed by U.S. National Library of Medicine in the Public Domain.\" id=\"return-footnote-288-12\" href=\"#footnote-288-12\" aria-label=\"Footnote 12\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[12]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Table 6.12b Enoxaparin Medication Grid<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"This work is a derivative of DailyMed by U.S. National Library of Medicine in the Public Domain.\" id=\"return-footnote-288-13\" href=\"#footnote-288-13\" aria-label=\"Footnote 13\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[13]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<table class=\"grid\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 47px\">\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Class\/<\/strong><strong>Subclass<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Prototype\/G<\/strong><strong>eneric<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\"><strong>Nursing <\/strong><strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Therapeutic Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Side\/Adverse Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 20px\">\n<th style=\"width: scope=\"><strong>Anticoagulant<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><a class=\"arrow\" href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3e6bf2b3-9339-4104-bda3-ad86a1949703\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">enoxaparin<\/a><\/td>\n<td>Use with caution in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with kidney disease<\/p>\n<p>If used for a <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span> undergoing neuraxial anesthesia or a spinal puncture, monitor frequently for neurological impairment. If neurological compromise is noted, urgent treatment is necessary<\/td>\n<td>Prevention or treatment of DVT or PE<\/td>\n<td>Bleeding<\/p>\n<p>Risk of hemorrhage<\/p>\n<p>Thrombocytopenia, HIT, or HITT<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><a id=\"_4wjsejj6nter\" href=\"\"><\/a>Warfarin<\/h2>\n<p>Warfarin (Coumadin) is an oral anticoagulant formulated in various strengths in different colors to help prevent errors when <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s self-administer different dosages at home (see Figure 6.26<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"\u201cWarfarintablets5-3-1.jpg\u201d by Gonegonegone is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0\" id=\"return-footnote-288-14\" href=\"#footnote-288-14\" aria-label=\"Footnote 14\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[14]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup>). Close monitoring of <strong><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_288_705\">prothrombin time (PT)<span style=\"font-size: 1em\"><\/a><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 1em\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">or <strong><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_288_706\"><\/strong><\/span><strong>international normalized ratio (INR)<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 1em\"><strong><\/a><\/strong> <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 1em;text-align: initial\">is required.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 452px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" title=\"&quot;Warfarintablets5-3-1.jpg&quot; by Gonegonegone is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accdigitalmarketing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/219\/2025\/01\/image5-1.png\" alt=\"Photo of a package of warfarin showing tablets.\" width=\"452\" height=\"280\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 6.26 Warfarin, an Oral Pill With Various Strengths in Different Colors<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Mechanism of Action: <\/strong>Warfarin acts by inhibiting the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, which include Factors II, VII, IX, and X and the anticoagulant proteins C and S.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Indications: <\/strong>Warfarin is indicated for the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Prophylaxis and treatment of venous thrombosis and its extension, pulmonary embolism (PE).<\/li>\n<li>Prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic complications associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and\/or cardiac valve replacement.<\/li>\n<li>Reduction in the risk of death, recurrent myocardial infarction (MI), and thromboembolic events such as stroke or systemic embolization after myocardial infarction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Nursing Considerations: <\/strong>Warfarin is contraindicated in pregnant women except for those with mechanical heart valves; it can cause fetal harm.<\/p>\n<p>Vitamin K is the reversal agent. Fresh frozen plasma may be considered if the requirement to reverse the effects of warfarin sodium is urgent.<\/p>\n<p>Close monitoring of prothrombin time (PT) or international normalized ratio (INR) is required. Therapeutic INR ranges from 2.0 to 3.5, depending on the indication.<\/p>\n<p>In hospitalized <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s receiving heparin therapy, there is often a period of overlap where the <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span> is prescribed both IV heparin and warfarin until the INR reaches therapeutic range. At that point, the IV heparin is discontinued.<\/p>\n<p>Warfarin has significant interactions with many medications; read drug label information before administering.<\/p>\n<p>Warfarin sodium is contraindicated in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with many conditions, including, but not limited to, the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Hemorrhagic tendencies or blood dyscrasias<\/li>\n<li>Recent or contemplated surgery of the central nervous system or eye or traumatic surgery resulting in large open surfaces<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Bleeding tendencies are associated with the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Active ulceration or overt bleeding of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, or respiratory tracts<\/li>\n<li>Central nervous system hemorrhage<\/li>\n<li>Cerebral aneurysms and dissecting aorta<\/li>\n<li>Pericarditis and pericardial effusions<\/li>\n<li>Bacterial endocarditis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Side Effects\/Adverse Effects: <\/strong><strong>Boxed Warning:<\/strong> Warfarin can cause major or fatal bleeding. Perform regular monitoring of INR in all treated <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s. Drugs, dietary changes, and other factors affect INR levels achieved with warfarin therapy. Instruct <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s about prevention measures to minimize risk of bleeding and to report signs and symptoms of bleeding. Warfarin can cause acute kidney injury, and bleeding risks are increased in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with liver disease.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Health Teaching &amp; Health Promotion: <\/strong>Advise <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s to follow these instructions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Avoid alcohol, cranberries, and grapefruit as they increase the effect of warfarin and the risk for bleeding.<\/li>\n<li>Strictly adhere to the prescribed dosage schedule.<\/li>\n<li>Follow INR monitoring guidelines as provided by the provider.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid any activity or sport that may result in traumatic injury.<\/li>\n<li>Tell their provider if they experience frequent falls because warfarin can increase their risk for bleeding in the brain.<\/li>\n<li>Eat a normal, balanced diet to maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K (such as green, leafy vegetables).<\/li>\n<li>Tell all health care professionals and dentists that they are taking warfarin, especially before surgery or dental procedures.<\/li>\n<li>Use electric razors instead of straight razors.<\/li>\n<li>Carry identification stating that they are taking warfarin.<\/li>\n<li>Notify their provider immediately if any unusual bleeding or symptoms occur, such as pain, swelling or discomfort, prolonged bleeding from cuts, increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding, nosebleeds, bleeding of gums from brushing, unusual bleeding or bruising, red or dark brown urine, red or tar black stools, headache, dizziness, or weakness.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"This work is a derivative of DailyMed by U.S. National Library of Medicine in the Public Domain.\" id=\"return-footnote-288-15\" href=\"#footnote-288-15\" aria-label=\"Footnote 15\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[15]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Now let&#8217;s take a closer look at the medication grid on warfarin in Table 6.12c.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"This work is a derivative of DailyMed by U.S. National Library of Medicine in the Public Domain.\" id=\"return-footnote-288-16\" href=\"#footnote-288-16\" aria-label=\"Footnote 16\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[16]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Table 6.12c Warfarin Medication Grid<\/p>\n<table class=\"grid\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%;height: 70px\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 47px\">\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Class\/<\/strong><strong>Subclass<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Prototype\/G<\/strong><strong>eneric<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Nursing <\/strong><strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Therapeutic Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Side\/Adverse Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 23px\">\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Anticoagulant<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><a class=\"arrow\" href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=558b7a0d-5490-4c1b-802e-3ab3f1efe760\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">warfarin<\/a><\/td>\n<td>Oral route<\/p>\n<p>Vitamin K is the antidote<\/p>\n<p>Monitor INR results before administering medication<\/p>\n<p>Use with caution in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with liver disease<\/td>\n<td>Prevent DVT or PE<\/td>\n<td>Bleeding<\/p>\n<p>Hemorrhage<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"__UNKNOWN__\">\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--examples\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<h2>Critical Thinking Activity 6.12<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-67\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accdigitalmarketing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/219\/2019\/10\/ORN-Icons_internet-copy_internet-copy-300x300-1-150x150.png\" alt=\"Image of a circle containing a speech bubble with a question mark in it.\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/219\/2019\/10\/ORN-Icons_internet-copy_internet-copy-300x300-1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/219\/2019\/10\/ORN-Icons_internet-copy_internet-copy-300x300-1-65x65.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/219\/2019\/10\/ORN-Icons_internet-copy_internet-copy-300x300-1-225x225.png 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/219\/2019\/10\/ORN-Icons_internet-copy_internet-copy-300x300-1.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\" style=\"text-align: left\">\n<p>A <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span> who was treated in the hospital for DVT in his left leg has been prescribed warfarin.<\/p>\n<p>1. The <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span> asks, \u201cWill the warfarin dissolve the clot in my leg?\u201d What is the nurse\u2019s best response?<\/p>\n<p>The nurse plans to assess the <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>\u2019s lab work before administering the warfarin.<\/p>\n<p>2. What blood test(s) are important to monitor for <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s taking warfarin, and what is the therapeutic range?<\/p>\n<p>The nurse knows that the <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span> will need to monitor his diet when taking warfarin.<\/p>\n<p>3. What dietary instructions should be provided to the <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>?<\/p>\n<p>The nurse plans to provide health teaching regarding this newly prescribed medication.<\/p>\n<p>4. Outline the topics to cover with this high-risk medication.<\/p>\n<p>5. What is the reversal agent for warfarin?<\/p>\n<p>Note: Answers to the Critical Thinking activities can be found in the &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/chapter\/chapter-6\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Answer Key<\/a>&#8221; section at the end of the book.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><a id=\"_l8dl8yjnjra\" href=\"\"><\/a>Rivaroxaban<\/h2>\n<p>Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) is a selective Xa inhibitor.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mechanism of Action: <\/strong>Rivaroxaban is a selective inhibitor of factor Xa and indirectly inhibits platelet aggregation induced by thrombin.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Indications: <\/strong>Rivaroxaban is indicated for prevention or treatment of DVT and PE. In combination with aspirin, it is indicated to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as cardiovascular (CV) death, myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke and in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with chronic coronary artery disease, (CAD) or peripheral artery disease (PAD).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nursing Considerations: <\/strong>For overdose, activated charcoal can be used to reduce absorption, and Andexxa is a reversal agent.<\/p>\n<p>Avoid in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with moderate to severe liver impairment. Report any unusual bleeding or bruising.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Side Effects\/Adverse Effects:\u00a0<\/strong>Risk of bleeding can be fatal.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"This work is a derivative of DailyMed by U.S. National Library of Medicine in the Public Domain.\" id=\"return-footnote-288-17\" href=\"#footnote-288-17\" aria-label=\"Footnote 17\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[17]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<p><strong>Boxed Warning:<\/strong> Epidural or spinal hematomas may occur in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s who are anticoagulated with rivaroxaban and are receiving neuraxial anesthesia or undergoing spinal puncture. These hematomas may result in long-term or permanent paralysis.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Health Teaching &amp; Health Promotion: <\/strong>C<span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">lient<\/span>s should report any signs of unusual bleeding or bruising to the health care provider. The <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span> should also notify the provider of all prescriptions, OTC medications, vitamins, and herbal products.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"uCentral from Unbound Medicine. https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral\" id=\"return-footnote-288-18\" href=\"#footnote-288-18\" aria-label=\"Footnote 18\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[18]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Now let&#8217;s take a closer look at the medication grid on rivaroxaban in Table 6.12d.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"This work is a derivative of DailyMed by U.S. National Library of Medicine in the Public Domain.\" id=\"return-footnote-288-19\" href=\"#footnote-288-19\" aria-label=\"Footnote 19\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[19]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Table 6.12d Rivaroxaban Medication Grid<\/p>\n<table class=\"grid\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%;height: 94px\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 47px\">\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Class\/<\/strong><strong>Subclass<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Prototype\/G<\/strong><strong>eneric<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Nursing <\/strong><strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Therapeutic Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Side\/Adverse Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 47px\">\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Selective Xa Inhibitor<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><a class=\"arrow\" href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=7e9ab975-db2f-423c-a089-bc5a73313609\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">rivaroxaban<\/a><\/td>\n<td>Activated charcoal or Andexxa can be used in overdose<\/p>\n<p>Avoid in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with liver impairment<\/td>\n<td>Prevent DVT and PE and risk of severe cardiovascular events<\/td>\n<td>Bleeding<\/p>\n<p>Epidural or spinal hematomas if neuraxial anesthesia or spinal puncture<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><a id=\"_hhq5gyqu7802\" href=\"\"><\/a>Dabigatran<\/h2>\n<p>Dabigatran (Pradaxa) is a direct-acting thrombin inhibitor.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mechanism of Action: <\/strong>Dabigatran is a competitive, direct thrombin inhibitor. Because thrombin enables the conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin during the coagulation cascade, its inhibition prevents the development of a thrombus.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Indications: <\/strong>This drug is used to prevent or treat deep vein thromboses (DVT) or pulmonary emboli (PE).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nursing Considerations:<\/strong> If an overdose occurs, idarucizumab, a specific reversal agent, is available.<\/p>\n<p>Safety and effectiveness in pediatric <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s have not been established.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Side Effects\/Adverse Effects:\u00a0<\/strong>Risk of bleeding can be fatal.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"This work is a derivative of DailyMed by U.S. National Library of Medicine in the Public Domain.\" id=\"return-footnote-288-20\" href=\"#footnote-288-20\" aria-label=\"Footnote 20\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[20]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<p><strong>Boxed Warning:<\/strong> Epidural or spinal hematomas may occur in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s who are anticoagulated with dabigatran and are receiving neuraxial anesthesia or undergoing spinal puncture. These hematomas may result in long-term or permanent paralysis<strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Health Teaching &amp; Health Promotion: <\/strong>C<span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">lient<\/span>s should report any signs of unusual bleeding or bruising to the health care provider. Additionally, dabigatran bottles should be disposed of four months after opening. The <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span> should also notify the provider of all prescriptions, OTC medications, vitamins, and herbal products.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"uCentral from Unbound Medicine. https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral\" id=\"return-footnote-288-21\" href=\"#footnote-288-21\" aria-label=\"Footnote 21\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[21]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Now let&#8217;s take a closer look at the medication grid for dabigatran in Table 6.12e.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"This work is a derivative of DailyMed by U.S. National Library of Medicine in the Public Domain.\" id=\"return-footnote-288-22\" href=\"#footnote-288-22\" aria-label=\"Footnote 22\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[22]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Table 6.12e Dabigatran Medication Grid<\/p>\n<table class=\"grid\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%;height: 75px\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 52px\">\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Class\/<\/strong><strong>Subclass<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Prototype\/G<\/strong><strong>eneric<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Nursing <\/strong><strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Therapeutic Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Side\/Adverse Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 23px\">\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Direct-acting Thrombin Inhibitor<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><a class=\"arrow\" href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ba74e3cd-b06f-4145-b284-5fd6b84ff3c9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">dabigatran<\/a><\/td>\n<td>Idarucizumab is a specific reversal agent<\/td>\n<td>Prevent or treat DVT or PE<\/td>\n<td>Risk of bleeding that can be fatal<\/p>\n<p>Epidural or spinal hematomas if receiving neuraxial anesthesia or undergoing spinal puncture<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><a id=\"_fytixlw4nmjo\" href=\"\"><\/a>Antiplatelets<\/h2>\n<p>Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and clopidogrel (Plavix) are antiplatelet medications.<\/p>\n<p>During an active myocardial infarction (heart attack), chewable aspirin is used due to its rapid absorption (see Figure 6.27<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"\u201cBayer Aspirin Low Dose\u201d by Mike Mozart is licensed under CC BY 2.0\" id=\"return-footnote-288-23\" href=\"#footnote-288-23\" aria-label=\"Footnote 23\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[23]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup>).<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 483px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" title=\"&quot;Bayer Aspirin Low Dose&quot; by Mike Mozart is licensed under CC BY 2.0\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accdigitalmarketing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/219\/2025\/01\/image6-2.png\" alt=\"Photo showing closeup of Bayer brand aspirin package\" width=\"483\" height=\"303\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 6.27 Chewable Aspirin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Mechanism of Action: <\/strong>Aspirin inhibits platelet activation and aggregation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Indications: <\/strong>Aspirin is indicated in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with established peripheral arterial disease or a history of recent myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke to reduce the rate of MI and stroke. It is also indicated to reduce the rate of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">clients<\/span> with ST-elevation and non\u2013ST-segment elevation ACS.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nursing Considerations: <\/strong>It is important to remember that the effects of these medications last the life of the platelet (7-10 days), so aspirin will need to be withheld for several days before surgery or certain procedures to prevent excessive bleeding. In elderly <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s, there is an increased risk of bleeding events with concurrent use of clopidogrel plus aspirin. Aspirin is contraindicated in children under the age of 12 with flu-like symptoms due to the risk of Reye\u2019s syndrome.<\/p>\n<p>Overdose is irreversible.<\/p>\n<p>Clopidogrel is metabolized to its active metabolite by CYP2C19. Concomitant use of drugs that inhibit the activity of this enzyme results in reduced plasma concentrations of the active metabolite of clopidogrel and a reduction in platelet inhibition.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Side Effects\/Adverse Effects: <\/strong>There is increased risk of bleeding.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Boxed Warning:<\/strong> There is reduced effectiveness for <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s referred to as \u201cCYP2C19 poor metabolizers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Health Teaching &amp; Health Promotion: <\/strong>C<span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">lient<\/span>s should report tinnitus, unusual bleeding of the gums, bruising, or blood in the stool to the health care provider immediately. While on antiplatelet therapy, <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s should avoid alcohol to prevent gastric irritation. Additionally, <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s should avoid NSAIDs while receiving antiplatelet therapy.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"uCentral from Unbound Medicine. https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral\" id=\"return-footnote-288-24\" href=\"#footnote-288-24\" aria-label=\"Footnote 24\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[24]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Now let&#8217;s take a closer look at the medication grid for acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel in Table 6.12f.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"This work is a derivative of DailyMed by U.S. National Library of Medicine in the Public Domain.\" id=\"return-footnote-288-25\" href=\"#footnote-288-25\" aria-label=\"Footnote 25\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[25]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Table 6.12f Acetylsalicylic Acid and Clopidogrel Medication Grid<\/p>\n<table class=\"grid\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Class\/<\/strong><strong>Subclass<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Prototype\/G<\/strong><strong>eneric<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Nursing <\/strong><strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Therapeutic Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Side\/Adverse Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Antiplatelet<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><a class=\"arrow\" href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=2cec3d3d-21d9-476c-e054-00144ff88e88\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"arrow\" href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=0078fb3d-3595-4ae1-a059-1d5e81c879cf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">clopidogrel<\/a><\/td>\n<td>Administer with food to reduce risk of GI upset and bleeding<\/p>\n<p>Monitor for bleeding<\/p>\n<p>Effects last for 7-10 days<\/td>\n<td>Reduce risk of MI and stroke<\/td>\n<td>Increased risk of bleeding<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><a id=\"_xcmr8vm42uo7\" href=\"\"><\/a>Alteplase (tPA)<\/h2>\n<p>Alteplase (tPA) is a thrombolytic used to break up clots. It has a very short half-life of five minutes so it can open a clogged artery rapidly. It is often given with heparin to prevent reocclusion of the affected blood vessel. There is also a smaller dosage form that is used to flush clogged IV or arterial lines.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"McCuistion, L., Vuljoin-DiMaggio, K., Winton, M., &amp; Yeager, J. (2018). Pharmacology: A patient-centered nursing process approach. pp. 443-454. Elsevier.\" id=\"return-footnote-288-26\" href=\"#footnote-288-26\" aria-label=\"Footnote 26\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[26]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<p><strong>Mechanism of Action: <\/strong>Alteplase binds to fibrin in a thrombus and converts the entrapped plasminogen to plasmin, thus breaking down the clot.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Indications: <\/strong>Alteplase is indicated for the acute treatment of myocardial infarction (MI), ischemic stroke, or massive pulmonary embolism (PE). It is also used to clear central lines such as a peripherally inserted central line catheter (PICC).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nursing Considerations: <\/strong>The drug is contraindicated in situations in which the risk of significant bleeding is greater than the potential benefit such as the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Active internal or intracranial bleeding<\/li>\n<li>History of recent stroke<\/li>\n<li>Recent (within three months) intracranial or intraspinal surgery or serious head trauma<\/li>\n<li>Presence of intracranial conditions that may increase the risk of bleeding (e.g., some neoplasms, arteriovenous malformations, or aneurysms)<\/li>\n<li>Current severe uncontrolled hypertension<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A CT scan of the head is completed prior to administration because hemorrhagic stroke and brain tumors are contraindications. Significant post-administration monitoring is performed due to the risk of life-threatening bleeding.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Side Effects\/Adverse Effects: <\/strong>This drug can cause significant, sometimes fatal, internal or external bleeding, especially at arterial and venous puncture sites. Avoid intramuscular injections and perform venipunctures carefully and only as required. It can increase the risk of thrombo-embolic events in <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">client<\/span>s with high likelihood of left heart thrombus, such as clients with atrial fibrillation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Health Teaching &amp; Health Promotion: <\/strong>C<span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">lient<\/span>s must institute bleeding precautions to prevent complications of therapy.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"uCentral from Unbound Medicine. https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral\" id=\"return-footnote-288-27\" href=\"#footnote-288-27\" aria-label=\"Footnote 27\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[27]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Now let&#8217;s take a closer look at the medication grid for alteplase in Table 6.12g.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"This work is a derivative of DailyMed by U.S. National Library of Medicine in the Public Domain.\" id=\"return-footnote-288-28\" href=\"#footnote-288-28\" aria-label=\"Footnote 28\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[28]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Table 6.12g Alteplase Medication Grid<\/p>\n<table class=\"grid\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Class\/<\/strong><strong>Subclass<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Prototype\/G<\/strong><strong>eneric<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Nursing <\/strong><strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Therapeutic Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<th class=\"shaded\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Side\/Adverse Effects<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Thrombolytic<\/strong><\/th>\n<td>\u00a0<a class=\"arrow\" href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c669f77c-fa48-478b-a14b-80b20a0139c2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">alteplase<\/a><a class=\"rId47\" href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c669f77c-fa48-478b-a14b-80b20a0139c2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> (tPA)<\/a><\/td>\n<td>Contraindicated in many conditions where the risk of bleeding outweighs the potential benefit<\/td>\n<td>Break down a life-threatening clot in MI, stroke, or massive PE<\/td>\n<td>Risk of severe bleeding that can be fatal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr class=\"before-footnotes clear\" \/><div class=\"footnotes\"><ol><li id=\"footnote-288-1\">Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). (2018). <em>ISMP list of high-alert medications in acute care settings.<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ismp.org\/sites\/default\/files\/attachments\/2018-08\/highAlert2018-Acute-Final.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.ismp.org\/sites\/default\/files\/attachments\/2018-08\/highAlert2018-Acute-Final.pdf<\/a> <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-1\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 1\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-2\">Anderson, P., &amp; Townsend, T. (2015). Preventing high-alert medication errors in hospital patients. <em>Nurse Today, 10<\/em>(5). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.americannursetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/ant5-CE-421.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.americannursetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/ant5-CE-421.pdf<\/a> <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-2\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 2\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-3\">Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). (2017). Q<em>uarterWatch\u2122 (2016 Annual Report) Part II: Oral anticoagulants\u2014The nation\u2019s top risk of acute injury from drugs.<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ismp.org\/resources\/quarterwatchtm-2016-annual-report-part-ii-oral-anticoagulants-nations-top-risk-acute\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.ismp.org\/resources\/quarterwatchtm-2016-annual-report-part-ii-oral-anticoagulants-nations-top-risk-acute<\/a> <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-3\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 3\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-4\">\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Heparin_Sodium_sample.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Heparin Sodium sample.jpg<\/a>\u201d by<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/User:LHcheM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> LHcheM<\/a> is licensed under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a> and \u201cHeparin in Dextrose Injection\u201d by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cvtc.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chippewa Valley Technical College<\/a> is licensed under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CC BY 4.0<\/a> <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-4\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 4\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-5\">This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>.  <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-5\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 5\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-6\">uCentral from Unbound Medicine. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral<\/a> <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-6\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 6\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-7\">This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>.  <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-7\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 7\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-8\">\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/photos\/syringe-disposable-syringe-blister-103059\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">syringe-disposable-syringe-blister-103059<\/a>\u201d by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/stux-12364\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">stux<\/a> is licensed under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/cc0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CC0<\/a> <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-8\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 8\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-9\">This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Daily Med<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>.  <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-9\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 9\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-10\">This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>.  <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-10\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 10\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-11\">uCentral from Unbound Medicine. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral<\/a> <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-11\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 11\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-12\">This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>.  <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-12\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 12\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-13\">This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Public Domain<\/a>.  <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-13\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 13\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-14\">\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Warfarintablets5-3-1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Warfarintablets5-3-1.jpg<\/a>\u201d by <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/User:Gonegonegone\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gonegonegone<\/a> is licensed under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a> <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-14\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 14\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-15\">This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>.  <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-15\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 15\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-16\">This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>.  <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-16\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 16\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-17\">This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>.  <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-17\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 17\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-18\">uCentral from Unbound Medicine. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral<\/a> <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-18\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 18\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-19\">This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>.  <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-19\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 19\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-20\">This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>.  <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-20\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 20\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-21\">uCentral from Unbound Medicine. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral<\/a> <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-21\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 21\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-22\">This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>.  <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-22\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 22\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-23\">\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/jeepersmedia\/15563763373\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bayer Aspirin Low Dose<\/a>\u201d by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/jeepersmedia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mike Mozart<\/a> is licensed under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CC BY 2.0<\/a> <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-23\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 23\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-24\">uCentral from Unbound Medicine. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral<\/a> <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-24\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 24\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-25\">This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>.  <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-25\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 25\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-26\">McCuistion, L., Vuljoin-DiMaggio, K., Winton, M., &amp; Yeager, J. (2018). <em>Pharmacology: A patient-centered nursing process approach.<\/em> pp. 443-454. Elsevier. <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-26\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 26\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-27\">uCentral from Unbound Medicine. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral<\/a> <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-27\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 27\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-288-28\">This work is a derivative of <a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DailyMed<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/share-your-work\/public-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain<\/a>.  <a href=\"#return-footnote-288-28\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 28\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div><div class=\"glossary\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\" id=\"definition\">definition<\/span><template id=\"term_288_709\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_288_709\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Any substance that opposes coagulation.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_288_704\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_288_704\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>A  blood test used to monitor how long it takes for a patient\u2019s blood to clot. Used for patients receiving IV heparin therapy to achieve therapeutic range.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_288_705\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_288_705\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>A blood test used to monitor the effects of warfarin.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_288_706\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_288_706\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>A blood test used to monitor the effects of warfarin and to achieve therapeutic range, generally between 2.0 and 3.5 based on the indication.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><\/div>","protected":false},"author":83,"menu_order":12,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[48],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-288","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry","chapter-type-numberless"],"part":238,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/288","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/83"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/288\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":757,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/288\/revisions\/757"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/238"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/288\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=288"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=288"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=288"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accnursingpharmacology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=288"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}