Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs)
Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). The client reports experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
The client is experiencing signs of a pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening complication of anticoagulant therapy. The priority action is to improve oxygenation and prevent hypoxia. Administering oxygen therapy can help achieve this goal.
Choice B is wrong because nitroglycerin is used to treat angina, not pulmonary embolism. Nitroglycerin dilates the coronary arteries and reduces the workload of the heart, but it does not address the underlying cause of the chest pain and shortness of breath in this case.
Choice C is wrong because obtaining an electrocardiogram (ECG) is not the first action to take. An ECG can help diagnose cardiac arrhythmias, ischemia, or infarction, but it does not provide immediate treatment for the client’s condition.
Choice D is wrong because aspirin is contraindicated in clients who are receiving direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Aspirin increases the risk of bleeding and can interfere with the action of DOACs. DOACs are a newer class of anticoagulants that do not require regular blood testing or dietary restrictions like warfarin. Some examples of DOACs are rivaroxaban, edoxaban, apixaban, and dabigatran.
The client is experiencing signs of a pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening complication of anticoagulant therapy. The priority action is to improve oxygenation and prevent hypoxia. Administering oxygen therapy can help achieve this goal.
Choice B is wrong because nitroglycerin is used to treat angina, not pulmonary embolism.
Nitroglycerin dilates the coronary arteries and reduces the workload of the heart, but it does not address the underlying cause of the chest pain and shortness of breath in this case.
Choice C is wrong because obtaining an electrocardiogram (ECG) is not the first action to take.
An ECG can help diagnose cardiac arrhythmias, ischemia, or infarction, but it does not provide immediate treatment for the client’s condition.
Choice D is wrong because aspirin is contraindicated in clients who are receiving direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs).
Aspirin increases the risk of bleeding and can interfere with the action of DOACs. DOACs are a newer class of anticoagulants that do not require regular blood testing or dietary restrictions like warfarin. Some examples of DOACs are rivaroxaban, edoxaban, apixaban, and dabigatran.