Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for clopidogrel. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

A. Monitor the client for black, tarry stools. Rationale: Clopidogrel is an antithrombotic and antiplatelet medication; therefore, it poses a risk of serious bleeding. The nurse should monitor for signs of bleeding such as black, tarry stools and report these findings to the provider.
B. Initiate contact precautions. Rationale: Contact precautions protect staff from acquiring an illness that spreads by direct contact, such as a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection.
C. Administer the medication with each meal. Rationale: The nurse should administer clopidogrel once daily, with or without food.
D. Have suction equipment at the bedside. Rationale: The nurse should have suction equipment at the bedside for a client who requires seizure precautions; however, this is not necessary for a client who is receiving this medication and is not otherwise at an increased risk for aspiration.

Answer 1

A nurse should monitor a client on clopidogrel for black, tarry stools as a sign of serious bleeding. Clopidogrel is administered once daily with or without food and doesn't require contact precautions or having suction equipment at the bedside, unless necessary for other conditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

When caring for a client who has a prescription for clopidogrel, a nurse should monitor the client for signs of serious bleeding, such as black, tarry stools. Clopidogrel, an antiplatelet medication, can increase the risk of bleeding. It’s important to report any signs of bleeding to the healthcare provider promptly. Clopidogrel is often prescribed to prevent clotting in patients with cardiovascular diseases and is commonly given on a daily basis as a preventative measure.

However, unlike certain other medications, clopidogrel doesn't require contact precautions, which are typically used to prevent the spread of infections through direct contact. Clients on clopidogrel do not need to have suction equipment at the bedside unless they are at increased risk for aspiration for reasons other than their medication.

The drug should be administered once daily, with or without food, and not necessarily with each meal. In dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), clopidogrel may be combined with aspirin, especially in patients who have had a stent placed or experienced a STEMI.