Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 78%
Simulated
An adult who is receiving heparin asks the nurse why it cannot be given by mouth. The nurse responds that heparin is given parenterally because:
Correct answer
AUG
Rationale
Heparin is a protein and is destroyed by gastric secretions, requiring parenteral administration (intravenously or subcutaneously). It does not irritate the gastric or intestinal lining, and while parenteral administration allows faster therapeutic levels, the primary reason is its destruction in the stomach.