Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has deep vein thrombosis and is receiving heparin via continuous IV infusion. The client has a positive fecal occult blood test and abdominal tenderness upon palpation. Which of the following prescription should the nurse expect the provider to prescribe?

A) Discontinue heparin infusion
B) Administer vitamin K
C) Initiate warfarin therapy
D) Administer a proton pump inhibitor

Answer 1

The nurse should expect the provider to prescribe Discontinue heparin infusion due to signs of potential internal bleeding in a client with DVT receiving heparin therapy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question concerns a client with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) who is currently receiving heparin via continuous IV infusion and has a positive fecal occult blood test with abdominal tenderness upon palpation. The nurse should anticipate the health care provider to prescribe A) Discontinue heparin infusion. This is because the presence of occult blood in the stool and abdominal tenderness indicates potential internal bleeding, which is a serious complication and potential adverse effect of anticoagulation therapy with heparin. Immediate discontinuation of heparin is critical to prevent further bleeding.

Heparin is an anticoagulant that reduces the formation of clots by inhibiting certain coagulation factors. However, the risk of bleeding is a significant concern, particularly if signs of gastrointestinal bleeding are present, as indicated by the fecal occult blood test in the scenario provided.