Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 82%
Simulated
A nurse is caring for a client who has thrombophlebitis and is receiving heparin by continuous IV infusion. The client asks the nurse how long it will take for the heparin to dissolve the clot. Which of the following responses should the nurse give?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
Heparin prevents new clot formation and extension but does not dissolve existing clots, which the body's fibrinolytic system handles.