Final answer:
To prevent blood clot formation, physicians prescribe anticoagulant drugs, which work by inhibiting various factors of the blood clotting process and are crucial for patients at risk for serious vascular diseases. correct answer is a) Anticoagulant.
Step-by-step explanation:
To prevent a blood clot from forming, a physician would prescribe an anticoagulant drug. The correct answer is a) Anticoagulant.
Anticoagulants are substances that work against the coagulation of blood. They are critical in medical situations to prevent the formation of blood clots, which can lead to strokes, heart attacks, and other serious vascular diseases. These drugs work by affecting different pathways and mechanisms of the blood clotting process. For instance, heparin, a naturally occurring anticoagulant produced by basophils and mast cells, is also available in a pharmaceutical form used therapeutically to prevent clot formation. Another common anticoagulant is warfarin, often known by the brand name Coumadin, which is prescribed to prevent excessive blood clotting in patients at risk for or recovering from strokes and heart attacks. Aspirin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is also known for its anticoagulant effect and is regularly taken to prevent clots. Pharmacogenomics can further tailor anticoagulant treatments to individual patients based on their genetic makeup, improving safety and efficacy.