RNSG 1301 - CH. 9 Questions and All
Correct Answers 2026 Updated.
A nurse has an order to administer heparin. Before initiating this therapy, a priority nursing
assessment will be the client's:
aPTT.
sodium and potassium levels.
heart rate and pulse.
blood glucose level. - Answer aPTT.
Explanation:
Before initiating therapy, it is important to review the client's aPTT, hematocrit, and platelet
count. These tests provide baseline information on the client's blood clotting abilities and
identify conditions that may cause heparin therapy to be contraindicated. The client's heart rate
and pulse, electrolyte levels, and blood sugar levels would not be priority nursing assessments.
Reference:
Chapter 9: Drug Therapy for Coagulation Disorders - Page 139-144
The nurse administers warfarin to a client. Which expected effect should the drug have on the
body?
increase in production of prothrombin
increase in production of procoagulation factors
decrease in production of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors
increase in production of vitamin K-dependent factors in the liver - Answer decrease in
production of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors
Explanation:
Warfarin, an oral anticoagulant drug, causes a decrease in the production of vitamin K-
dependent clotting factors in the liver. The eventual effect is a depletion of these clotting factors
and a prolongation of clotting times. It is used to maintain a state of anticoagulation in
situations in which the client is susceptible to potentially dangerous clot formation. It does not
increase prothrombin, vitamin K-dependent factors in the liver, or procoagulation factors.
Reference:
Chapter 9: Drug Therapy for Coagulation Disorders - Page 144
,Which client statement demonstrates an accurate understanding of the action of a prescribed
anticoagulant?
"This medication will keep unnecessary clots from forming in my blood."
"If I have another stroke, this medication will bust up the clot before too much damage is done."
"If a big clot starts to form, this medication will help break it up."
"Anticoagulants thin the blood so clots can't get as big." - Answer "This medication will keep
unnecessary clots from forming in my blood."
Explanation:
An anticoagulant slows the body's normal blood-clotting processes to prevent harmful blood
clots from forming. This type of drug is often called a "blood thinner"; however, it cannot
dissolve any clots that have already formed and does not make your blood thin.
Reference:
Chapter 9: Drug Therapy for Coagulation Disorders - Page 139-144
The nurse is caring for a client in long term care who is receiving warfarin. Which assessment
indicates a need to withhold the drug and consult with the client's primary health care
provider?
PT is 1.5
INR exceeds 1.0
PT is 18 seconds
INR exceeds 3 - Answer INR exceeds 3
Explanation:
Periodic assessment is necessary for clients on warfarin therapy to maintain safe and adequate
drug levels. If the PT exceeds 1.2 to 1.5 times the control value or 18 seconds, or the INR
exceeds 3, the primary health care provider is notified before the drug is given.
Reference:
Chapter 9: Drug Therapy for Coagulation Disorders - Page 144-145
The nurse determines teaching about warfarin is successful when the client makes what
statement?
"I will check with my primary health care provider before taking any herbal supplements."
"If I miss a dose one day, I will compensate by taking two pills the next day."
"I will make sure to get the annual flu vaccine this fall."
, "I will minimize my physical activity so I don't start bleeding." - Answer "I will check with my
primary health care provider before taking any herbal supplements."
Explanation:
Warfarin is involved in many drug-drug and drug-herb interactions, so the clientsclient's
statement about checking with the doctor before starting any new drugs or supplements would
be correct. The other statements made by the client indicate the need for further teaching. The
client should not take two pills after missing a dose. The client should make an effort to avoid
preventable injuries, but minimizing physical activity in general would not be necessary or
beneficial. Vaccinations are beneficial but not to any greater extent than with a client who is not
taking warfarin.
Reference:
Chapter 9: Drug Therapy for Coagulation Disorders - Page 146
A client taking an anticoagulant drug tells the nurse she is having bleeding in the gums and
teeth. When reviewing client history, the client states she has decided to try an herbal remedy.
Which of the following is most likely the cause of increased bleeding?
Vitamin D
Ginger
Lavender
Echinacea - Answer Ginger
Explanation:
Anticoagulant drugs should not be combined with any of the following substances, because
they may have additive or synergistic activity and increase the risk for bleeding: celery,
chamomile, clove, dong quai, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, green tea, onion,
passionflower, red clover, St. John's wort, and turmeric.
Reference:
Chapter 9: Drug Therapy for Coagulation Disorders - Page 139-144
A stable daily dose of warfarin is reached when which parameter is achieved?
The INR is between 1 and 2, and the dose does not cause bleeding.
The PTT is within the therapeutic range.
The INR is between 4 and 5.
The PT and INR are within their therapeutic ranges, and the dose does not cause bleeding. -
Answer The PT and INR are within their therapeutic ranges, and the dose does not cause
bleeding.
Correct Answers 2026 Updated.
A nurse has an order to administer heparin. Before initiating this therapy, a priority nursing
assessment will be the client's:
aPTT.
sodium and potassium levels.
heart rate and pulse.
blood glucose level. - Answer aPTT.
Explanation:
Before initiating therapy, it is important to review the client's aPTT, hematocrit, and platelet
count. These tests provide baseline information on the client's blood clotting abilities and
identify conditions that may cause heparin therapy to be contraindicated. The client's heart rate
and pulse, electrolyte levels, and blood sugar levels would not be priority nursing assessments.
Reference:
Chapter 9: Drug Therapy for Coagulation Disorders - Page 139-144
The nurse administers warfarin to a client. Which expected effect should the drug have on the
body?
increase in production of prothrombin
increase in production of procoagulation factors
decrease in production of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors
increase in production of vitamin K-dependent factors in the liver - Answer decrease in
production of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors
Explanation:
Warfarin, an oral anticoagulant drug, causes a decrease in the production of vitamin K-
dependent clotting factors in the liver. The eventual effect is a depletion of these clotting factors
and a prolongation of clotting times. It is used to maintain a state of anticoagulation in
situations in which the client is susceptible to potentially dangerous clot formation. It does not
increase prothrombin, vitamin K-dependent factors in the liver, or procoagulation factors.
Reference:
Chapter 9: Drug Therapy for Coagulation Disorders - Page 144
,Which client statement demonstrates an accurate understanding of the action of a prescribed
anticoagulant?
"This medication will keep unnecessary clots from forming in my blood."
"If I have another stroke, this medication will bust up the clot before too much damage is done."
"If a big clot starts to form, this medication will help break it up."
"Anticoagulants thin the blood so clots can't get as big." - Answer "This medication will keep
unnecessary clots from forming in my blood."
Explanation:
An anticoagulant slows the body's normal blood-clotting processes to prevent harmful blood
clots from forming. This type of drug is often called a "blood thinner"; however, it cannot
dissolve any clots that have already formed and does not make your blood thin.
Reference:
Chapter 9: Drug Therapy for Coagulation Disorders - Page 139-144
The nurse is caring for a client in long term care who is receiving warfarin. Which assessment
indicates a need to withhold the drug and consult with the client's primary health care
provider?
PT is 1.5
INR exceeds 1.0
PT is 18 seconds
INR exceeds 3 - Answer INR exceeds 3
Explanation:
Periodic assessment is necessary for clients on warfarin therapy to maintain safe and adequate
drug levels. If the PT exceeds 1.2 to 1.5 times the control value or 18 seconds, or the INR
exceeds 3, the primary health care provider is notified before the drug is given.
Reference:
Chapter 9: Drug Therapy for Coagulation Disorders - Page 144-145
The nurse determines teaching about warfarin is successful when the client makes what
statement?
"I will check with my primary health care provider before taking any herbal supplements."
"If I miss a dose one day, I will compensate by taking two pills the next day."
"I will make sure to get the annual flu vaccine this fall."
, "I will minimize my physical activity so I don't start bleeding." - Answer "I will check with my
primary health care provider before taking any herbal supplements."
Explanation:
Warfarin is involved in many drug-drug and drug-herb interactions, so the clientsclient's
statement about checking with the doctor before starting any new drugs or supplements would
be correct. The other statements made by the client indicate the need for further teaching. The
client should not take two pills after missing a dose. The client should make an effort to avoid
preventable injuries, but minimizing physical activity in general would not be necessary or
beneficial. Vaccinations are beneficial but not to any greater extent than with a client who is not
taking warfarin.
Reference:
Chapter 9: Drug Therapy for Coagulation Disorders - Page 146
A client taking an anticoagulant drug tells the nurse she is having bleeding in the gums and
teeth. When reviewing client history, the client states she has decided to try an herbal remedy.
Which of the following is most likely the cause of increased bleeding?
Vitamin D
Ginger
Lavender
Echinacea - Answer Ginger
Explanation:
Anticoagulant drugs should not be combined with any of the following substances, because
they may have additive or synergistic activity and increase the risk for bleeding: celery,
chamomile, clove, dong quai, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, green tea, onion,
passionflower, red clover, St. John's wort, and turmeric.
Reference:
Chapter 9: Drug Therapy for Coagulation Disorders - Page 139-144
A stable daily dose of warfarin is reached when which parameter is achieved?
The INR is between 1 and 2, and the dose does not cause bleeding.
The PTT is within the therapeutic range.
The INR is between 4 and 5.
The PT and INR are within their therapeutic ranges, and the dose does not cause bleeding. -
Answer The PT and INR are within their therapeutic ranges, and the dose does not cause
bleeding.
