Practice Question
A nurse is teaching a nursing student about the difference between an anticoagulant and a thrombolytic medication. Which statement by the student indicates correct understanding?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
"Anticoagulants prevent clot formation or extension, while thrombolytics actively break down existing clots."
Rationale:
✨Anticoagulants (e.g., heparin, warfarin, enoxaparin) do not dissolve clots but work by interfering with the clotting cascade to prevent new clots from forming or existing clots from getting bigger. They are used in conditions like atrial fibrillation, DVT, or post-surgery prevention.
✨Thrombolytics (e.g., alteplase, streptokinase) are “clot-busting drugs” that actively lyse existing clots by converting plasminogen to plasmin, which breaks down fibrin. They are used in acute emergencies such as ischemic stroke, massive PE, or STEMI.
✨Thrombolytics are not used long-term due to their high risk of bleeding; anticoagulants are used for long-term management and prevention.
✨Platelet production is not directly increased by either class—both work on the clotting system, not bone marrow.
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This question is from CUSTOM PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM which contains 79 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: Examplify Exam(s)
- Domain: Pharmacology
- Answer Choices: 4