Pharmacology and the Nursing Process by Linda Lane Lilley: Practice Exam

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What action is recommended in the event of heparin overdose?

  1. Continuation of heparin therapy

  2. IV injection of vitamin K1

  3. Immediate stop of the drug and possibly IV injection of protamine sulfate

  4. No action required due to heparin's long half-life

The correct answer is: Immediate stop of the drug and possibly IV injection of protamine sulfate

Heparin overdose can be dangerous and can lead to a high risk of bleeding. Therefore, it is important to take immediate action. Option A, continuation of heparin therapy, is not recommended as it can worsen the overdose and increase the risk of bleeding. Option B, IV injection of vitamin K1, is also not recommended as it is used to reverse the effects of warfarin, a different type of blood thinner. Option D, no action required due to heparin's long half-life, is incorrect as the half-life of heparin can vary and may not always be long enough to prevent a serious overdose. The recommended and most effective action in the event of heparin overdose would be to immediately stop the drug and possibly receive IV injection of protamine sulfate, which is a medication that can reverse the effects of heparin. This will help to prevent further