Cardiovascular Drugs and Medications Q 59

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A nurse is caring for a client receiving a heparin intravenous (IV) infusion. The nurse expects that which of the following laboratory will be prescribed to monitor the therapeutic effect of heparin?

  

     A. Prothrombin time (PT)

     B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)

     C. Hematocrit (Hgb)

     D. Hemoglobin (Hct)

    

    

Correct Answer: B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)

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Activated partial thromboplastin time assesses the therapeutic level of heparin.

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Option A: Prothrombin time (PT) assesses the therapeutic level of warfarin sodium (Coumadin).

Options C & D: Hematocrit (Hgb) and Hemoglobin (Hct) measure the aspect of the red blood cells.

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