Medication Administration and Anticoagulation Flashcards
7 cards from real CCHT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Medication Administration and Anticoagulation flashcards as text
A hemodialysis patient receives intravenous sodium bicarbonate during treatment. What is the primary indication for this medication?
Answer: Metabolic acidosis
IV sodium bicarbonate is administered to correct metabolic acidosis, which is common in end-stage renal disease patients.
Which phosphate binder is commonly administered with meals to dialysis patients to control serum phosphorus levels?
Answer: Calcium carbonate or sevelamer
Calcium carbonate and sevelamer are commonly used phosphate binders taken with meals to reduce phosphorus absorption from food.
When using a continuous heparin infusion during dialysis, what laboratory test is used to monitor anticoagulation levels?
Answer: Activated clotting time (ACT) or APTT
The activated clotting time (ACT) or activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) is used to monitor heparin anticoagulation during dialysis.
A patient on hemodialysis develops heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Which finding on laboratory results would support this diagnosis?
Answer: Platelet count drop of >50% from baseline
HIT is characterized by a significant drop in platelet count (>50% from baseline) occurring 5–10 days after heparin initiation due to antibody formation.
What is the purpose of administering vitamin D analogs (e.g., calcitriol) to hemodialysis patients?
Answer: Suppress secondary hyperparathyroidism and manage bone disease
Active vitamin D analogs suppress parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion to manage secondary hyperparathyroidism and renal osteodystrophy in dialysis patients.
Which route of administration is preferred for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in hemodialysis patients?
Answer: Intravenous or subcutaneous
ESAs are most commonly given IV (directly into the dialysis circuit) or subcutaneously; IV is convenient during dialysis sessions.
A dialysis patient's hemoglobin rises above 13 g/dL while on ESA therapy. What is the appropriate action?
Answer: Reduce or hold the ESA dose
ESA dose should be reduced or held when hemoglobin exceeds target levels (typically >13 g/dL) to avoid increased cardiovascular risk associated with high hemoglobin.