NR293 – PHARMACOLOGY
WEEK 4
COAGULATION MODIFIERS
Anticoagulants & Antiplatelets
HEMOSTASIS REVIEW (YOU MUST KNOW THIS
FIRST)
Hemostasis = the body’s balance between:
1. Clot formation
2. Clot prevention
3. Clot breakdown
3 STAGES OF COAGULATION
Stage What Happens Why It Matters
Clot initiation Platelets form temporary plug Antiplatelets work here
Clot formation Fibrin strengthens clot Anticoagulants interfere
Fibrinolysis Clot dissolves Prevents emboli
🧠 Memory trick:
“Platelets PLUG → Fibrin FINISHES”
ANTICOAGULANTS vs ANTIPLATELETS (EXAM
FAVORITE)
Feature Anticoagulants Antiplatelets
Target Clotting factors Platelets
Primary use DVT, PE, AFib MI, stroke prevention
Break clots? ❌ No ❌ No
Main risk Bleeding Bleeding
,⚠️ NCLEX TRAP:
These drugs do NOT dissolve clots.
ANTICOAGULANTS
HEPARINS (Heparin, Enoxaparin)
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Inactivates thrombin and Factor Xa
Prevents clot formation
Prevents clot extension
ADVERSE EFFECTS
Common Serious
Anemia Bleeding
Bruising HIT – Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
NURSING IMPLICATIONS (TESTED HARD)
Action Why
Monitor aPTT (IV heparin) Therapeutic dosing
No routine labs for LMWH Predictable effect
Monitor platelets HIT risk
Avoid NSAIDs Bleeding risk
🧠 Memory trick:
“HEPARIN = HIT HAZARD”
WHAT GOES WRONG (CLINICAL SCENARIO)
,
WEEK 4
COAGULATION MODIFIERS
Anticoagulants & Antiplatelets
HEMOSTASIS REVIEW (YOU MUST KNOW THIS
FIRST)
Hemostasis = the body’s balance between:
1. Clot formation
2. Clot prevention
3. Clot breakdown
3 STAGES OF COAGULATION
Stage What Happens Why It Matters
Clot initiation Platelets form temporary plug Antiplatelets work here
Clot formation Fibrin strengthens clot Anticoagulants interfere
Fibrinolysis Clot dissolves Prevents emboli
🧠 Memory trick:
“Platelets PLUG → Fibrin FINISHES”
ANTICOAGULANTS vs ANTIPLATELETS (EXAM
FAVORITE)
Feature Anticoagulants Antiplatelets
Target Clotting factors Platelets
Primary use DVT, PE, AFib MI, stroke prevention
Break clots? ❌ No ❌ No
Main risk Bleeding Bleeding
,⚠️ NCLEX TRAP:
These drugs do NOT dissolve clots.
ANTICOAGULANTS
HEPARINS (Heparin, Enoxaparin)
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Inactivates thrombin and Factor Xa
Prevents clot formation
Prevents clot extension
ADVERSE EFFECTS
Common Serious
Anemia Bleeding
Bruising HIT – Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
NURSING IMPLICATIONS (TESTED HARD)
Action Why
Monitor aPTT (IV heparin) Therapeutic dosing
No routine labs for LMWH Predictable effect
Monitor platelets HIT risk
Avoid NSAIDs Bleeding risk
🧠 Memory trick:
“HEPARIN = HIT HAZARD”
WHAT GOES WRONG (CLINICAL SCENARIO)
,
