Drug Classification: Anticoagulants

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Questions and Answers

What is coagulation?

  • The process of blood cell formation
  • The process of blood clotting (correct)
  • The process of oxygen transport in blood
  • The balance of coagulation and anticoagulation (correct)

What do anticoagulant drugs do?

Prevent the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin.

What are the routes for administering Heparin?

  • Intravenously (IV) (correct)
  • Orally
  • Subcutaneously (SC) (correct)
  • Topically

What is the primary adverse effect of Heparin?

<p>Bleeding and thrombocytopenia.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Heparin is contraindicated in pregnant women.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should patients be instructed to report when taking Heparin?

<p>Any signs of bleeding.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the antidote for Warfarin?

<p>Vitamin K.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the therapeutic range for INR when taking anticoagulants?

<p>2.0 to 4.0 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Clopidogrel used for?

<p>To reduce the risk of stroke or vascular death.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Complete the sentence: The normal PT (prothrombin time) is ____ to ____ seconds.

<p>10 to 13.5</p> Signup and view all the answers

Complete the sentence: Antiplatelet drugs are needed when there is a long-term risk for __________.

<p>hypercoagulability</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Coagulation

  • Blood consists of various cells and substances, maintaining a balance between coagulation and anticoagulation.
  • The clotting cascade is crucial in blood coagulation.

Anticoagulant Drugs

  • Parenteral anticoagulants prevent the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin.
  • Oral anticoagulants inhibit the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.

Heparin: Core Drug Knowledge

  • Heparin is a parenteral anticoagulant that interferes with the final steps of the clotting cascade.
  • Administered via IV or subcutaneously; metabolism occurs in the liver, excretion via kidneys.
  • Promotes rapid inactivation of factor X, blocking the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin.
  • Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity; monitor for bleeding and thrombocytopenia.
  • Drug interactions may enhance heparin's effects; antidote is protamine sulfate.

Heparin: Core Patient Variables

  • Assess patient’s history for allergies and prolonged bleeding times.
  • Safe for pregnant women; evaluate activity level and drug administration environment.

Heparin: Planning and Interventions

  • Monitor laboratory values; allow heparin levels to stabilize before measuring PTT.
  • Adjust dosage if PTT exceeds desired range; use an IV controller for continuous infusion.

Heparin: Teaching, Assessment, and Evaluations

  • Educate patients and families to report any signs of bleeding.
  • Ongoing assessments include monitoring for bleeding and reviewing PTT values to maintain therapeutic levels.

Warfarin: Core Drug Knowledge (Coumadin)

  • Warfarin is used prophylactically to prevent long-term thrombus formation.
  • Administered orally; highly protein-bound; metabolized in the liver and excreted in bile.
  • Competitively blocks vitamin K at its action sites; contraindicated in active bleeding scenarios.
  • Numerous drug-drug and drug-food interactions occur.

Warfarin: Core Patient Variables

  • Assess vitamin K availability as it competes with warfarin.
  • Greater safety concerns for patients under 18 years old; assess dietary habits.
  • Environment for administration can vary; genetic variations may influence drug response.

Warfarin: Planning and Interventions

  • Individualize warfarin dosage based on PT or INR until therapeutic range is achieved.
  • Monitor patient response and use vitamin K as an antidote; lab values not required for tests.

Warfarin: Teaching, Assessment, and Evaluation

  • Educate patients on bleeding signs and prevention; reinforce taking the drug consistently at the same time each day.
  • Ongoing monitoring of PT and INR is essential for ensuring warfarin's therapeutic efficacy.

Normal Lab Values

  • Prothrombin Time (PT): 10 to 13.5 seconds.
  • Partial Prothrombin Time (PTT): 25 to 35 seconds.
  • International Normalized Ratio (INR): 2.0 to 4.0 (if on anticoagulants), 0.8 to 1.2 (if not on anticoagulants).

Antiplatelet Drugs

  • Utilized for conditions where overactive platelets increase the risk of hypercoagulability.
  • Platelet aggregation is crucial for hemostasis; antiplatelet drugs decrease this aggregation.
  • Prototypical drug: Clopidogrel (Plavix) with varying modes of action and side effects.

Clopidogrel: Knowledge

  • Oral antiplatelet rapidly absorbs, peaking within two hours of administration.
  • Reduces the risk of stroke or vascular death in patients with recent myocardial infarction, stroke, or peripheral artery disease.
  • Effects of clopidogrel last approximately five days; intravenous forms provide rapid action.

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