Question

A patient who takes warfarin for atrial fibrillation undergoes hip replacement surgery. On the second postoperative day, the nurse assesses the patient and notes an oxygen saturation of 83%, pleuritic chest pain, shortness of breath, and hemoptysis. The nurse will contact the provider to report possible ____ and request an order for ____.

a. congestive heart failure; furosemide [Lasix]
b. hemorrhage; vitamin K (phytonadione)
c. myocardial infarction; tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)
d. pulmonary embolism; heparin

Answer 1

The nurse will contact the provider to report possible pulmonary embolism and request an order for heparin.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse will contact the provider to report possible pulmonary embolism and request an order for heparin. A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks blood flow. The symptoms described by the patient, such as pleuritic chest pain, shortness of breath, and hemoptysis (coughing up blood), are indicative of a pulmonary embolism. Heparin is a medication commonly used to prevent and treat blood clots. In this case, it would be appropriate to administer heparin to the patient to prevent further clot formation and potentially dissolve the existing clot.