The Perinatal Nurse Administers Heparin as Ordered to the Postpartum

The perinatal nurse administers heparin as ordered to the postpartum woman with newly diagnosed deep vein thrombosis.The patient asks about the purpose of the medication.Which response by the nurse is best?

A) Assists with breakdown of the thromboses
B) Decreases clotting time and circulatory clotting factors
C) Prevents extension of the clot and new clot formation
D) Prevents the formation of any new clots only