Question

What is a characteristic feature of Heparin administration?

A) Heparin is given orally (PO).
B) Heparin is administered intramuscularly (IM).
C) Heparin is given both intravenously (IV) and subcutaneously (SQ).
D) Heparin requires monitoring with PT-INR.

Answer 1

Heparin is administered either intravenously (IV) or subcutaneously (SQ), not orally or by intramuscular injection (IM), and uses aPTT for monitoring instead of PT-INR.

Step-by-step explanation:

A characteristic feature of Heparin administration is that it is given both intravenously (IV) and subcutaneously (SQ). Heparin is an anticoagulant used to prevent clot formation, and it needs to be administered in ways that allow it to act rapidly and at targeted levels. It is not given orally because it is not absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Intravenous administration results in high plasma levels quickly, which is often desirable in acute settings, while subcutaneous administration allows for slower absorption over a longer period. Heparin also demands regular monitoring, but it utilizes the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) test rather than PT-INR, which is more commonly associated with monitoring warfarin therapy.