A patient in the hospital has been receiving heparin injections. The platelet count on admission was 222,000/mm³ and four days later is 113,000/mm³. What action by the healthcare professional is best?
A)Prepare to transfuse the patient with platelets.
B)Do nothing; this is an expected side effect.
C)Switch the heparin to lepirudin
D)Stop all the patient's medications.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

After initiating heparin in the hospital this patient's platelet count dropped by 51%. A drop in more than 50% of the platelet count is seen in more than 95% of patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. The treatment is to withdraw the heparin and use alternatives such as lepirudin. If the platelet count were severely low, transfusion would be indicated. There is no need to stop all the patient's medications.

A Patient in the Hospital Has Been Receiving Heparin Injections