Question

The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a continuous intravenous heparin infusion. The client's most recent activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is 120 seconds. Which medication should the nurse plan to administer?

A
Protamine Correct Answer (Blank)
B
Naloxone
C
Enoxaparin
D
Vitamin K

Answer 1

The nurse should administer Protamine to a patient with an excessively prolonged aPTT of 120 seconds due to an overdose of heparin, as Protamine is the antidote that neutralizes the effects of heparin.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a continuous intravenous heparin infusion. The client's most recent activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is 120 seconds. In this case, the nurse should plan to administer Protamine. Protamine is the antidote to heparin and is administered when the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is excessively prolonged, indicating an overdose of heparin.

Heparin is a short-acting anticoagulant used therapeutically to prevent blood clots. However, if too much is administered, it can lead to bleeding complications. Protamine acts by binding to heparin and neutralizing its effects, hence decreasing the aPTT to a safer, therapeutic range.