The nurse is caring for a client who currently has a deep vein thrombosis. Which of the following medications would be administered to lyse existing clots? (Select All that Apply.)
Aspirin
Heparin
warfarin (Coumadin)
alteplase (Activase)
anistreplase (Eminase)
Correct Answer : D,E
A) Aspirin: While aspirin is an antiplatelet medication that can help prevent further clot formation, it does not have thrombolytic properties and does not directly lyse existing clots. Therefore, it is not appropriate for this purpose.
B) Heparin: Heparin is an anticoagulant used to prevent the extension of existing clots and reduce the risk of new clots forming, but it does not dissolve existing clots. It helps manage deep vein thrombosis but does not have thrombolytic activity.
C) Warfarin (Coumadin): Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant that is used to prevent new clot formation and the growth of existing clots. However, like heparin, it does not actively lyse or dissolve existing clots.
D) Alteplase (Activase): This medication is a thrombolytic agent that actively dissolves blood clots by activating plasminogen to plasmin, leading to clot breakdown. It is appropriate for use in cases of deep vein thrombosis when clot lysis is indicated.
E) Anistreplase (Eminase): Similar to alteplase, anistreplase is another thrombolytic agent used to lyse existing clots. It acts by converting plasminogen to plasmin, effectively breaking down fibrin in clots, making it suitable for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D","E"]
Explanation
A) Angioedema: Quinapril, an ACE inhibitor, can cause angioedema, which is a serious allergic reaction characterized by swelling of the deeper layers of the skin. This side effect is critical to monitor, as it can lead to airway obstruction.
B) Dry non-productive cough: A persistent dry cough is a well-known side effect of ACE inhibitors like quinapril. This occurs due to the accumulation of bradykinin and can be bothersome enough to require discontinuation of the medication.
C) Hyperkalemia: Quinapril can lead to increased potassium levels in the blood, a condition known as hyperkalemia. This is due to the drug's mechanism of action, which reduces aldosterone secretion, leading to decreased potassium excretion.
D) First dose phenomenon: This refers to a significant drop in blood pressure following the first dose of an ACE inhibitor, which can lead to dizziness or fainting. Patients are often advised to take the first dose at bedtime to minimize this risk.
E) Hypotension: Quinapril can cause hypotension, particularly after the initial dosing or in patients who are dehydrated or on diuretics. It’s important for patients to be aware of this potential side effect.
F) Hypertension: Quinapril is used to treat hypertension, so it is not a side effect associated with this medication. Instead, the goal of treatment is to lower blood pressure, making this option incorrect.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Losartan (Cozaar): This medication is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) and is often used as an alternative for patients who experience a cough due to ACE inhibitors. Unlike ACE inhibitors, ARBs do not typically cause a cough because they do not affect bradykinin levels, making losartan an appropriate choice for managing hypertension without the adverse effect of a persistent cough.
B) Hydralazine HCL (Apresoline): While hydralazine is an antihypertensive, it works through a different mechanism (direct vasodilation) and is not a first-line alternative for patients with a history of ACE inhibitor-induced cough. It's generally used in specific situations, such as severe hypertension or heart failure.
C) Furosemide (Lasix): This is a loop diuretic primarily used for conditions like heart failure or edema, rather than for the management of hypertension alone. It does not address the underlying hypertension in the same manner as ACE inhibitors or ARBs.
D) Metoprolol (Lopressor): This is a beta-blocker that can be used for hypertension, but it does not directly address the issue of cough related to ACE inhibitors. Switching to a beta-blocker may not be the best option if the client is specifically seeking to avoid the cough associated with ACE inhibitors.