CHAPTER 12 Hematologic Drugs
Quiz Yourself
1. Because heparin can only be given subcutaneously, the physician discharges the
patient home on an anticoagulant drug that can be given orally.
2. Heparin is composed of large molecules that are not easily absorbed, and so only
about 20 percent to 30 percent of a dose of heparin exerts a therapeutic effect. Low
molecular weight heparins (LMWH) such as dalteparin, enoxaparin, and tinzaparin
were created by breaking apart the heparin molecule and decreasing the size of the
molecule. These smaller molecules mean that almost the entire dose of low molecular
weight heparin is absorbed and exerts a therapeutic effect.
3. Protamine sulfate is a heparin antagonist drug that binds with heparin to neutralize
its anticoagulant effect.
4. The therapeutic effect of anticoagulant drugs is to prevent the formation of clots
by inhibiting one or several of the clotting factors. The therapeutic effect of thrombolytic
drugs is to break apart a clot that has already formed.
5. The suffix –ase is common to both the generic and trade names of thrombolytic
drugs.
6. [Only required to name six.]
Leafy green vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, spinach, bok choi, kale, parsley, turnip
greens), beef liver, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), and soy products (soybeans, soy milk, tofu)
contain large amounts of vitamin K that can decrease
the therapeutic effect of an
anticoagulant drug.
7. [Only required to name several, not all.]
Gelfilm, Gelfilm Ophthalmic, Gelfoam, Evicel, Hemopad, Hemotene, Oxycel,
Surgicel, Thrombogen, Thrombostat.
8. Erythropoietin is a hormone produced by the kidneys. Epoetin alfa is an
erythropoietinlike drug created with recombinant DNA technology.
9. Folic acid is the B vitamin that is used to treat folic acid anemia (megaloblastic anemia).
10. The suffix –parin is common to generic name heparin and low molecular weight
heparins.
11. Phytonadione (Mephyton) is a vitamin K drug that is given prophylactically to all
newborns to prevent hemorrhagic disease of the newborn.
12. a. drugs used to treat anemia
b. thrombin inhibitor drugs
c. platelet aggregation inhibitor drugs
d. tissue plasminogen activator drug
e. hemostatic drug
f. low molecular weight heparin
g. recombinant DNA drug used to treat anemia
h. thrombolytic enzyme drug
Clinical Applications Questions
1. a. heparin
b. 3000 u
c. units
d. I.V.
e. Bolus is a liquid drug injected through a port all at one time into an intravenous
line.
f. verbal order
2. a. ferrous sulfate
b. anemia
c. Feosol, Fer-In-Sol, Slow FE
d. 325 milligrams or 5 grains
3. The order was for vitamin K, but the nurse mistakenly thought of the chemical symbol
for potassium, which is K.
4. a. Coumadin/warfarin
b. Because the pharmacist could fill this order with either the trade name drug
Coumadin or its generic equivalent warfarin
c. 5 mg
d. 30
e. One a day
f. Oral route (PO)
g. 6 refills