RN Exam Practice
Pharmacological and Parenteral TherapiesQuestion 516 of 2368

A client who is receiving heparin for a blood clot asks, "Will this medicine dissolve my clot?" What is the nurse's best response?

  1. "Heparin dissolves the clot within a few hours."
  2. "Heparin prevents new clots but does not break down the existing clot."
  3. "Heparin changes the clot into a fibrin mesh that is stronger."
  4. "Heparin dissolves clots only in the leg veins."
Show answer

Correct answer: "Heparin prevents new clots but does not break down the existing clot."

Heparin has no fibrinolytic activity, so it will not break down existing clots.

Source: Nursing Pharmacology, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2023), Cardiovascular & Renal Systems: Heparin Sodium. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026