Question

A new mother receives heparin. She asks the nurse if she can breastfeed her baby. What is the most therapeutic response by the nurse?

1. "No, because it would be too difficult to regulate your heparin dose."
2. "No, because this could cause your nipples to bleed."
3. "No, because this could alter your international normalized ratio (INR) times too much."
4. "No, because heparin will enter your breast milk."

Answer 1

The nurse should respond that heparin will enter the breast milk and it is not recommended to breastfeed while taking heparin.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most therapeutic response by the nurse in this situation would be option 4: "No, because heparin will enter your breast milk." Heparin is a medication that can pass into breast milk and potentially affect the baby. It is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers due to the potential risks to the baby. It is important for the mother to discuss alternate options with her healthcare provider to ensure the safety of both herself and her baby.