A patient is receiving 1400 units of heparin/hour on an IV pump. The aPTT time is 54. The laboratory control is 25. Which action by the nurse is accurate?
a. Bolus the patient with an additional 5000 units of heparin.
b. Stop the heparin immediately and notify the health care provider that the patient's blood level is toxic.
c. Administer protamine sulfate stat.
d. Continue with the prescribed rate.
ANS: D
Therapeutic heparin values are 1.5 to 2.5 times the control value. The therapeutic range of heparin with a control of 25 is 37.5 to 62.5 units/hour. A time of 54 is within the therapeutic range. An increase of heparin is not indicated because the patient is in the therapeutic range. The range is not toxic. An antidote to the anticoagulant is not indicated because the patient is within the therapeutic range.
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