Heparin, warfarin, and direct anticoagulants
NCLEX-RN glossary · Pharmacological And Parenteral Therapies
Definition
Pharmacological classes that inhibit the coagulation cascade to prevent or treat thrombus formation.
Heparin, warfarin, and direct anticoagulants in plain English
These are high-alert medications that require precise monitoring (aPTT for heparin; PT/INR for warfarin) and the immediate availability of reversal agents. The tempting mistake is confusing the specific reversal agents, such as failing to associate heparin with protamine sulfate or warfarin with Vitamin K.
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