The nurse should question about the use of <u>heparin sodium</u> in the physician’s drug order to a hemorrhagic stroke patient.
Explanation:
A hemorrhagic stroke leads to impaired brain functioning due to bursting of a blood vessel and resultant bleeding in the brain.
When an anticoagulant like heparin is administered to a hemorrhagic stroke patient, it increases the risk of further bleeding from the weakened arteries.
Heparin is administered to reduce or remove any blood clots; however, as a blood thinner, it poses an increased risk of further bleeding or hemorrhage just related to the heparin itself. Blood clotting time should be monitored by coagulation tests while administering heparin-based drugs like heparin sodium.
Complications from heparin sodium can lead to adrenal, ovarian, or retroperitoneal hemorrhage.
