Question

After abdominal surgery, a male client is prescribed low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). During administration of the medication, the client asks the nurse why he is receiving this medication. Which is the best response for the nurse to provide?

A) "It helps prevent blood clots."
B) "It reduces pain and inflammation."
C) "It promotes wound healing."
D) "It prevents infection."

Answer 1

Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is an anticoagulant medication used after surgery to prevent blood clots, reducing the risk of complications like stroke or heart attack.

Step-by-step explanation:

Regarding the client who is prescribed low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) after abdominal surgery, the best response for the nurse to provide when the client inquires about the purpose of the medication is: "It helps prevent blood clots." Low molecular weight heparin is a type of anticoagulant that reduces the risk of developing potentially dangerous clots after surgery. Clots can cause serious problems such as stroke or heart attack if they travel to different parts of the body. LMWH works by inhibiting certain factors in the blood that contribute to clot formation, thus preventing clots from becoming larger and causing more serious problems.