Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 63%
Simulated
A nurse is caring for a client who has deep vein thrombosis and has been on heparin continuous infusion for 5 days. The provider prescribes warfarin PO without discontinuing the heparin. The client asks the nurse why both anticoagulants are necessary. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
Warfarin takes time to reach therapeutic levels, so heparin is continued until warfarin is fully active.