Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving heparin therapy via continuous IV infusion to treat a pulmonary emboli. which of the following findings should the nurse ID as an AE of the medication and report to the provider?

A. Increased blood pressure
B. Bruising at the injection site
C. Hematuria (blood in the urine)
D. Elevated temperature

Answer 1

The nurse should identify hematuria (blood in the urine) as an adverse effect of heparin therapy and report it to the provider.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should identify hematuria (blood in the urine) as an adverse effect of heparin therapy and report it to the provider.

Heparin is an anticoagulant medication used to prevent blood clots, such as those associated with pulmonary emboli. However, it can occasionally cause bleeding as a side effect, and hematuria is a sign of bleeding.

Increased blood pressure may not be an adverse effect of heparin therapy, as it is typically used to prevent blood clots, which could lower blood pressure. Bruising at the injection site may occur due to minor bleeding, but it is not a severe adverse effect. Elevated temperature could be a sign of an infection rather than an adverse effect of heparin.