Nursing Process, 10th Edition
1. A patient is receiving thrombolytic therapy, and the nurse monitors the patient
for adverse effects. What is the most common undesirable effect of thrombolytic
therapy?
A. Dysrhythmias
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Anaphylactic reactions
D. Internal and superficial bleeding
Answer: D
Explanation: Bleeding is the most frequent and serious adverse effect of thrombolytic drugs
because they systemically break down clots, including those at sites of vascular injury.
2. A patient who has been anticoagulated with warfarin has been admitted for
gastrointestinal bleeding. The history and physical examination indicates that
the patient may have taken too much warfarin. The nurse anticipates that the
patient will receive which antidote?
A. Vitamin E
B. Vitamin K
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Potassium chloride
Answer: B
Explanation: Vitamin K is the specific antidote for warfarin overdose, as it promotes the
synthesis of clotting factors that are inhibited by warfarin.
3. A patient has had recent mechanical heart valve surgery and is receiving
anticoagulant therapy. While monitoring the patient’s laboratory work, the
nurse interprets that the patient's international normalized ratio (INR) level of
1.8 indicates: which of these?
A. The patient is not receiving enough warfarin to have a therapeutic effect.
B. The patient's warfarin dose is at therapeutic levels.
C. The patient's intravenous heparin dose is dangerously high.
D. The patient's intravenous heparin dose is at therapeutic levels.
Answer: A
,Explanation: For a patient with a mechanical heart valve, the therapeutic INR range is
typically 2.0 to 3.5. An INR of 1.8 is below therapeutic, indicating insufficient
anticoagulation.
4. A patient has received an overdose of intravenous heparin, and is showing signs
of excessive bleeding. Which substance is the antidote for heparin overdose?
A. Vitamin E
B. Vitamin K
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Potassium chloride
Answer: C
Explanation: Protamine sulfate neutralizes heparin by forming a stable salt complex, rapidly
reversing its anticoagulant effects.
5. When administering heparin subcutaneously, the nurse will follow which
procedure?
A. Aspirating the syringe before injecting the medication
B. Massaging the site after injection
C. Use the same area for each injection.
D. Using a 1/2- to 5/8-inch 25- to 27-gauge needle
Answer: D
Explanation: A small-gauge, short needle is used for subcutaneous heparin injections to
minimize tissue trauma and bleeding. Aspirating and massaging can cause hematoma
formation, and sites should be rotated.
6. The nurse notes in the patient’s medication orders that the patient will be
starting anticoagulant therapy. What is the primary goal of anticoagulant
therapy?
A. Stabilizing an existing thrombus
B. Dissolving an existing thrombus
C. Preventing thrombus formation
D. Dilating the vessel around a clot
Answer: C
Explanation: Anticoagulants prevent new clots from forming and existing clots from
extending, but they do not dissolve existing thrombi.
, 7. A patient is receiving heparin therapy as part of the treatment for a pulmonary
embolism. The nurse monitors the results of which laboratory test to check the
drug’s effectiveness?
A. Bleeding times
B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
C. Prothrombin time/international normalized ratio (PT/INR)
D. Vitamin K levels
Answer: B
Explanation: The aPTT is used to monitor the therapeutic effect of heparin, with a target
range typically 1.5 to 2.5 times the normal control value.
8. A patient has been prescribed warfarin in addition to a heparin infusion. The
patient asks the nurse why he has to be on two medications. The nurse’s response
is based on which rationale?
A. The oral and injection forms work synergistically.
B. The combination of heparin and an oral anticoagulant results in fewer adverse
effects than heparin used alone.
C. The warfarin is used to reach an adequate level of anticoagulation when heparin
alone is unable to do so.
D. Heparin is used to start anticoagulation so as to allow time for the blood levels of
warfarin to reach adequate levels.
Answer: D
Explanation: Heparin provides immediate anticoagulation while warfarin, which takes several
days to reach therapeutic levels, is being initiated. This overlap ensures continuous
anticoagulation protection.
9. A patient will be receiving a thrombolytic drug as part of the treatment for acute
myocardial infarction. The nurse explains to the patient that this drug is used for
which purpose?
A. To relieve chest pain
B. To prevent further clot formation
C. To dissolve the clot in the coronary artery
D. To control bleeding in the coronary vessels
Answer: C
Explanation: Thrombolytic drugs work by dissolving existing thrombi to restore blood flow
in occluded coronary arteries, which is critical in acute myocardial infarction.