A Nursing Student Asks Why the Anticoagulant Heparin Is Given

question 8

Multiple Choice

A nursing student asks why the anticoagulant heparin is given to patients who have disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and are at risk for excessive bleeding. The nurse will explain that heparin is used in this case for which reason?

• A) To decrease the risk of venous thrombosis
• B) To dissolve blood clots as they form
• C) To enhance the formation of fibrous clots
• D) To preserve platelet function

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Definitions:

Elimination by Aspect Heuristic

A decision-making process where alternatives are discarded by systematically evaluating them against a set of criteria.

Error

A mistake or discrepancy caused by a failure in judgment, incorrect reasoning, or an oversight.

Judgment

The capacity to make well-considered choices or come to reasonable conclusions.

Optimistic Bias Heuristic

A cognitive shortcut that leads individuals to believe that they are less likely to experience negative events compared to others.