What are the nursing considerations for heparin?

Assess for signs of bleeding and hemorrhage, including bleeding gums, nosebleeds, unusual bruising, black/tarry stools, hematuria, and fall in hematocrit or blood pressure. Notify physician or nursing staff immediately if heparin causes excessive anticoagulation.

What should you assess before giving heparin?

Prior to initiating heparin therapy, baseline labs should be drawn including: hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count, aPTT, and PT. The standard laboratory test to monitor therapeutic levels of LMWH is the chromogenic anti-Xa heparin assay.

What does the nurse teach the patient to prevent dumping syndrome?

General recommendations include eating small, frequent, high-protein meals and snacks; avoiding liquids with meals; avoiding simple carbohydrates (cookies, candy, sweetened drinks, and ice cream); and lying down for 15 minutes after eating.

How do you manage dumping syndrome?

Treatment options

1. Eat five to six smaller meals throughout the day instead of three big meals.
2. Avoid or limit sugary foods like soda, candy, and baked goods.
3. Eat more protein from foods like chicken, fish, peanut butter, and tofu.
4. Get more fiber in your diet.
5. Don’t drink fluids within 30 minutes before or after meals.

How to decrease the symptoms of dumping syndrome?

The goal of decreasing the signs and symptoms of dumping syndrome is to help decrease gastric motility. The patient should LIE DOWN for 30 minutes to help decrease the rapid dumping of the contents into the small intestine. C. Consume high amounts of dairy products daily. FALSE!

What is a NCLEX practice question about dumping syndrome?

This is an NCLEX practice question about dumping syndrome. This question provides a scenario about a patient experiencing dumping syndrome, and requires the nurse to know what steps can be incorporated in the patient’s plan of care to decrease the patient’s signs and symptoms.

What happens if the aPTT is too low for heparin?

The Heparin drip will be titrated base on the aPTT. Example: If the aPTT is too low, the patient may need a bolus of Heparin and the drip rate increased. If the aPTT is too high, the patient may need the drip turned off for 1 hour and the drip rate decreased.

When do you change the drip for heparin?

If the aPTT is within the therapeutic range (see range below), there is no change to the drip until the next lab draw for the aPTT. Heparin is weight-based: the nurse will need to obtain a current and accurate weight on the patient’s so proper dosing can be administered.