Cardiovascular Medications Quiz

Questions and Answers

What does 'hem-' mean?

blood

What does '-stasis' mean?

to stop

What is hemostasis?

the stopping of blood flow

Hemostasis is achieved once a blood clot is formed.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of blood changing from a liquid to a gel called?

coagulation Signup and view all the answers

What are the two pathways activated in response to tissue injury?

intrinsic pathway and extrinsic pathway Signup and view all the answers

What does fibrinogen form?

fibrin Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following drugs is used to prolong bleeding time?

Heparin Sodium Signup and view all the answers

What is the antidote for heparin?

protamine sulfate Signup and view all the answers

What is one contraindication for IM administration of heparin?

bleeding risk Signup and view all the answers

How long can the anticoagulant activity of warfarin take to reach maximum effect?

several days Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hemostasis

"Hemostasis" combines "hem-", meaning blood, and "-stasis", meaning to stop; it refers to the stopping of blood flow.
A vital mechanism that protects the body from excessive blood loss following external or internal injuries.
The process culminates in the formation of a blood clot, preventing severe hemorrhage.
Multiple clotting factors are activated through a sequential cascade of events during hemostasis.

Basic Steps in Hemostasis

Coagulation, or clotting, transforms blood from liquid to gel, creating a blood clot.
The Coagulation Cascade is a series of steps triggered by tissue injury, wherein each step activates the subsequent one, ultimately forming a clot.
The Intrinsic Pathway is activated in response to internal blood vessel injury.
The Extrinsic Pathway occurs when blood leaks from vessels into tissue spaces.
Fibrinogen (clotting factor I) converts to fibrin, which binds platelets and plasma proteins to form a hemostatic plug.
Prothrombin (clotting factor II) activates thrombin, which plays a crucial role in the clotting process.

Anticoagulants

Anticoagulants are medications that prolong bleeding time to prevent thrombi formation or expansion.
They impart a negative charge to platelets, inhibiting their aggregation.
The process of clot breakdown is known as fibrinolysis.

Heparin Sodium

Enhances the action of antithrombin III, a plasma protein that inactivates thrombin and other procoagulant enzymes, thereby inhibiting coagulation.
Administered via IV for rapid action; prevents the formation of fibrin clots within minutes.
Heparin is often referred to as unfractionated heparin, differentiating it from low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs).
LMWHs are modified heparin with a more specific action towards active Factor X, longer half-life, and a more stable response than unfractionated heparin.

Enoxaparin Sodium

A type of low-molecular-weight heparin that operates similarly to heparin, but is more selective in its inhibition.
Demonstrates a duration of action that is two to four times longer than heparin.
Preferred for various clotting disorders and post-surgical DVT prevention due to a lower risk of thrombocytopenia.

Nursing Interventions for Heparin Sodium

Monitor activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPPT) and platelet counts.
Administer subcutaneously in the abdomen at a 90º angle using a 25-28 G needle; do not aspirate or massage after injection.
IM administration is contraindicated to reduce bleeding risk.
The normal aPPT range is 20 to 40 seconds; therapeutic levels should be maintained at 1.5 to 2.5 times the normal value during continuous infusion.
aPPT should be measured every 4 to 6 hours initially, and then daily thereafter.
The antidote for heparin overdose is Protamine Sulfate.

Warfarin Sodium

Warfarin inhibits the hepatic synthesis of coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X.
Its anticoagulant effect may take several days to achieve maximum efficacy.
Warfarin prolongs clotting times, specifically Prothrombin Time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR).

Description

Test your knowledge about cardiovascular medications and the hemostasis process. Understand the importance of blood flow regulation and the mechanisms involved in blood clotting. This quiz will cover essential terms and concepts related to hemostasis and clotting factors.