Lovenox — Do not expel air bubble from prefilled syringe
🔆 Lovenox (enoxaparin) is a low-molecular-weight heparin commonly administered subcutaneously for prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disorders.
🔆 Prefilled enoxaparin syringes contain a small air bubble that should not be expelled before administration.
🔆 The air bubble helps ensure delivery of the full prescribed dose and can reduce medication tracking back through the injection site.
🔆 The injection is usually administered into the abdomen, and the site should not be rubbed afterward because rubbing can increase bruising.
🔆 Correct injection technique helps decrease bleeding, bruising, and medication loss while maintaining therapeutic anticoagulation.
Prevents platelet aggregation; given for MI — ASA
🌹 Aspirin (ASA) inhibits platelet aggregation by irreversibly blocking cyclooxygenase and reducing thromboxane A₂ formation.
🌹 This effect decreases platelet activation and helps prevent extension of coronary artery thrombosis.
🌹 Aspirin is commonly administered during suspected or confirmed myocardial infarction unless contraindicated.
🌹 Early aspirin therapy can reduce the risk for additional clot formation and improve outcomes in acute coronary syndromes.
🌹 The nurse should monitor for signs of bleeding, gastrointestinal irritation, and hypersensitivity during therapy.
Warfarin — Requires monitoring INR
♦️ Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant that inhibits synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X.
♦️ The therapeutic effect is monitored using prothrombin time and INR.
♦️ INR monitoring helps determine whether the client is within the prescribed therapeutic range while minimizing the risk for bleeding or thrombosis.
♦️ The exact target INR depends on the indication, but many conditions use a goal around 2.0 to 3.0.
♦️ Clients should maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K-containing foods and report unusual bleeding promptly.
Heparin — Requires monitoring aPTT
🖊️ Unfractionated heparin enhances the activity of antithrombin and inhibits clotting factors, particularly thrombin and factor Xa.
🖊️ Its anticoagulant effect is commonly monitored using activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) or an anti-Xa level according to facility protocol.
🖊️ Frequent monitoring is necessary because unfractionated heparin has a variable dose-response between clients.
🖊️ The nurse should also monitor platelet counts because heparin can cause heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
🖊️ Excessive anticoagulation can result in serious bleeding and may require protamine sulfate as the reversal agent.