A patient receiving IV heparin therapy for a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right calf asks why his calf remains painful, edematous, and warm to touch after 2 days of anticoagulant therapy. Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
a. "It takes at least 3 days for the symptoms to resolve once the clot dissolves."
b. "Heparin does not dissolve blood clots but neutralizes clotting factors, preventing extension of the clot and the possibility of it traveling elsewhere in your body."
c. "I will report this to your health care provider because there may be a need to look at alternative treatments."
d. "You appear anxious. The health care provider will eventually put you on ticlopidine, which allows for an earlier discharge."
ANS: B
Heparin is used to treat a thromboembolism and promote neutralization of activated clotting factors, preventing the extension of thrombi and the formation of emboli. Heparin will minimize tissue damage by preventing it from developing into an insoluble, stable thrombus. It is inappropriate to tell a patient how long it will take to dissolve a clot. The patient's question does not warrant notification of the health care provider. Telling the patient that the health care provider will be starting the patient on ticlopidine is inappropriate and inaccurate.
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