Question

the nurse provides care for a client beginning intermittent heparin therapy. the nurse knows which laboratory test is used to monitor the effectiveness of heparin? 1. activated partial thromboplastin time. 2. prothrombin time. 3. bleeding time. 4. protein electrophoresis.

Explanation:

Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is specifically used to monitor heparin therapy. Heparin affects the intrinsic pathway of coagulation, and aPTT measures the time it takes for blood to clot in the presence of added activators that mimic the intrinsic pathway. Prothrombin time (PT) is used to monitor warfarin (which affects the extrinsic pathway). Bleeding time assesses platelet function. Protein electrophoresis is used to separate and analyze proteins in a sample (not related to heparin monitoring).

Answer:

1. Activated partial thromboplastin time.