NUR 145 Pharmacology CH. 27
(Thromboembolic Diseases) Questions
and Correct Answers
Thromboembolic Diseases ✅Abnormal clotting within blood vessels; are major causes
of morbidity & morality.
Thrombosis ✅Process of formation of a fibrin clot (thrombus)
Thrombus ✅A fibrin clot
Embolus ✅a small fragment of a thrombus that breaks off and circulates until it
becomes trapped in a capillary, causing ischemia or infarction to the area distal to the
obstruction.
Major causes of thrombus formation are: ✅immobilization with venous stasis, trauma
to lower limbs, certain illnesses (e.g. heart failure, vasospasm, ulcerative colitis) cancers
of the lung, prostate, stomach and pancreas, pregnancy, oral contraceptives (especially
with smoking), heredity and surgery.
What is activated when there is damage to the blood vessel? ✅Intrinsic clotting
pathway
What is activated when there is damage outside of the blood vessels, usually to
tissues? ✅Extrinsic clotting pathway
Drug therapy for Thromboembolic Diseases - Goals: ✅Primary purpose is to prevent
platelet aggregation or inhibit steps in the clotting cascade
Thromboembolic drugs: ✅Four types of agents:
-Platelet inhibitors
-Anticoagulants
-Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors
-Thrombolytics
What therapy prevents new clot formation or extension of existing clots?
✅Anticoagultion therapy
Anticoagulants ✅Do NOT dissolve clots, prevents a new clot formation or extension of
new clots (e.g. Coumadin)
(Thromboembolic Diseases) Questions
and Correct Answers
Thromboembolic Diseases ✅Abnormal clotting within blood vessels; are major causes
of morbidity & morality.
Thrombosis ✅Process of formation of a fibrin clot (thrombus)
Thrombus ✅A fibrin clot
Embolus ✅a small fragment of a thrombus that breaks off and circulates until it
becomes trapped in a capillary, causing ischemia or infarction to the area distal to the
obstruction.
Major causes of thrombus formation are: ✅immobilization with venous stasis, trauma
to lower limbs, certain illnesses (e.g. heart failure, vasospasm, ulcerative colitis) cancers
of the lung, prostate, stomach and pancreas, pregnancy, oral contraceptives (especially
with smoking), heredity and surgery.
What is activated when there is damage to the blood vessel? ✅Intrinsic clotting
pathway
What is activated when there is damage outside of the blood vessels, usually to
tissues? ✅Extrinsic clotting pathway
Drug therapy for Thromboembolic Diseases - Goals: ✅Primary purpose is to prevent
platelet aggregation or inhibit steps in the clotting cascade
Thromboembolic drugs: ✅Four types of agents:
-Platelet inhibitors
-Anticoagulants
-Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors
-Thrombolytics
What therapy prevents new clot formation or extension of existing clots?
✅Anticoagultion therapy
Anticoagulants ✅Do NOT dissolve clots, prevents a new clot formation or extension of
new clots (e.g. Coumadin)
