ANTICOAGULATION PART 1 – PNN EXAM COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND ALL ANSWERS VERIFIED
What are the three main classes of medications in this chapter? -
ANSWER Antiplatelets, anticoagulants, and thrombolytics.
What is the primary function of antiplatelets? - ANSWER They prevent
platelet aggregation by stopping platelets from coming into close
proximity to each other.
What is the primary function of anticoagulants? - ANSWER They prevent
the formation of fibrin, which is the bond (glue) between platelets.
Name an example of a parenteral (injectable) anticoagulant. - ANSWER
Heparin or Lovenox (enoxaparin).
Name an example of an oral anticoagulant. - ANSWER Xarelto
(rivaroxaban), Eliquis (apixaban), Pradaxa (dabigatran), or Coumadin
(warfarin).
What is the primary function of thrombolytics? - ANSWER They break
down the fibrin bond, effectively dissolving clots.
Why are thrombolytics also called fibrinolytics? - ANSWER Because
they break down fibrin, which is the glue holding clots together.
What is the end product of the coagulation cascade? - ANSWER Fibrin
(Factor Ia).
Which pathway is blocked by heparin? - ANSWER The intrinsic
pathway.
Which lab test is used to monitor the intrinsic pathway? - ANSWER
aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time).
, Which pathway is blocked by warfarin? - ANSWER The extrinsic
pathway.
Which lab test is used to monitor the extrinsic pathway? - ANSWER PT
(prothrombin time), standardized to INR (International Normalized Ratio).
What is the common step in both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways? -
ANSWER Activation of Factor X to Xa.
What does activated Factor Xa do in the coagulation cascade? -
ANSWER It activates Factor II (prothrombin) to Factor IIa (thrombin),
which then converts fibrinogen to fibrin (Factor Ia).
Where does Lovenox (enoxaparin) work in the coagulation cascade? -
ANSWER It inhibits Factor Xa.
Where does Pradaxa (dabigatran) work in the coagulation cascade? -
ANSWER It inhibits thrombin (Factor IIa).
What is the clinical importance of understanding the coagulation
cascade? - ANSWER It helps determine the specific points where
different anticoagulants and thrombolytics exert their effects.
Why is it important to know the mechanism of action of anticoagulants? -
ANSWER It aids in understanding their therapeutic effects, potential side
effects, and monitoring parameters.
What is the normal range for aPTT in a non-anticoagulated individual? -
ANSWER 20-40 seconds.
What is the target range for aPTT when a patient is on heparin therapy?
- ANSWER 45-70 seconds or 1.5-2.5 times the baseline.
How often is aPTT checked in patients on IV heparin? - ANSWER Every
six hours.
What is the target INR range for most patients on warfarin? - ANSWER
2.0-3.0.
When is the INR target range for warfarin increased to 2.5-3.5? -
ANSWER For patients with mechanical prosthetic heart valves.
QUESTIONS AND ALL ANSWERS VERIFIED
What are the three main classes of medications in this chapter? -
ANSWER Antiplatelets, anticoagulants, and thrombolytics.
What is the primary function of antiplatelets? - ANSWER They prevent
platelet aggregation by stopping platelets from coming into close
proximity to each other.
What is the primary function of anticoagulants? - ANSWER They prevent
the formation of fibrin, which is the bond (glue) between platelets.
Name an example of a parenteral (injectable) anticoagulant. - ANSWER
Heparin or Lovenox (enoxaparin).
Name an example of an oral anticoagulant. - ANSWER Xarelto
(rivaroxaban), Eliquis (apixaban), Pradaxa (dabigatran), or Coumadin
(warfarin).
What is the primary function of thrombolytics? - ANSWER They break
down the fibrin bond, effectively dissolving clots.
Why are thrombolytics also called fibrinolytics? - ANSWER Because
they break down fibrin, which is the glue holding clots together.
What is the end product of the coagulation cascade? - ANSWER Fibrin
(Factor Ia).
Which pathway is blocked by heparin? - ANSWER The intrinsic
pathway.
Which lab test is used to monitor the intrinsic pathway? - ANSWER
aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time).
, Which pathway is blocked by warfarin? - ANSWER The extrinsic
pathway.
Which lab test is used to monitor the extrinsic pathway? - ANSWER PT
(prothrombin time), standardized to INR (International Normalized Ratio).
What is the common step in both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways? -
ANSWER Activation of Factor X to Xa.
What does activated Factor Xa do in the coagulation cascade? -
ANSWER It activates Factor II (prothrombin) to Factor IIa (thrombin),
which then converts fibrinogen to fibrin (Factor Ia).
Where does Lovenox (enoxaparin) work in the coagulation cascade? -
ANSWER It inhibits Factor Xa.
Where does Pradaxa (dabigatran) work in the coagulation cascade? -
ANSWER It inhibits thrombin (Factor IIa).
What is the clinical importance of understanding the coagulation
cascade? - ANSWER It helps determine the specific points where
different anticoagulants and thrombolytics exert their effects.
Why is it important to know the mechanism of action of anticoagulants? -
ANSWER It aids in understanding their therapeutic effects, potential side
effects, and monitoring parameters.
What is the normal range for aPTT in a non-anticoagulated individual? -
ANSWER 20-40 seconds.
What is the target range for aPTT when a patient is on heparin therapy?
- ANSWER 45-70 seconds or 1.5-2.5 times the baseline.
How often is aPTT checked in patients on IV heparin? - ANSWER Every
six hours.
What is the target INR range for most patients on warfarin? - ANSWER
2.0-3.0.
When is the INR target range for warfarin increased to 2.5-3.5? -
ANSWER For patients with mechanical prosthetic heart valves.
