A patient has been started on clopidogrel (Plavix) after a myocardial infarction and stent placement. How should the nurse explain the action of this medication to the patient?
1. "Plavix will dissolve any clots that might form in your stent."
2. "Plavix will make the platelets in your blood less sticky."
3. "Plavix will change the way your platelets work their entire lives."
4. "Plavix decreases your blood's ability to clot."
5. "Plavix works just like the heparin you have been on in the hospital."
2,3,4
Rationale 1: Plavix does not act to dissolve clots.
Rationale 2: Plavix is an adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor blocker that acts to make platelets unable to aggregate, thus rendering them less "sticky."
Rationale 3: Plavix causes irreversible changes in platelet plasma membranes.
Rationale 4: Plavix does decrease the blood's ability to clot.
Rationale 5: The mechanisms of action of Plavix and heparin are not alike.
Global Rationale: Plavix is an adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor blocker that acts to make platelets unable to aggregate, thus rendering them less "sticky." Plavix causes irreversible changes in platelet plasma membranes. Plavix does decrease the blood's ability to clot. Plavix does not act to dissolve clots. The mechanisms of action of Plavix and heparin are not alike.
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