Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 70%
Simulated
A nurse is preparing to administer a heparin infusion of 25,000 units in 250 mL of normal saline at a rate of 1000 units per hour for a client diagnosed with a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). The client's initial activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) value is 35 seconds. Which laboratory result would indicate that the aPTT is at a therapeutic level?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
The therapeutic range for aPTT during heparin therapy is 1.5 to 2.5 times the normal value (30-40 seconds), approximately 45-100 seconds. An aPTT of 75 seconds is within this range.