Question

A patient has received a double dose of heparin during surgery and is bleeding through the incision site. While the surgeons are working to stop the bleeding at the incision site, the nurse will prepare to take what action at this time?

a. Give IV vitamin K as an antidote.
b. Give IV protamine sulfate as an antidote.
c. Call the blood bank for an immediate platelet transfusion.
d. Obtain an order for packed red blood cells.

Answer 1

The nurse should prepare to administer IV protamine sulfate as an antidote to reverse the effects of heparin overdose.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this scenario, the patient has received a double dose of heparin during surgery, resulting in excessive bleeding through the incision site. The nurse should prepare to administer IV protamine sulfate as an antidote.

Protamine sulfate is commonly used as an antidote for heparin overdose. It works by binding to heparin and neutralizing its anticoagulant effects, thereby reversing the excessive bleeding.

Administering IV vitamin K (option a) is not appropriate in this situation as it is an antidote for warfarin, not heparin. Calling the blood bank for a platelet transfusion (option c) or obtaining an order for packed red blood cells (option d) may be necessary if the patient's bleeding is severe and continues, but the immediate priority is to administer IV protamine sulfate to reverse the effects of heparin.