What nursing action is essential when a patient is receiving GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors?

What nursing action is essential when a patient is receiving GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors?

• A. Monitor respiratory rate
• B. Check liver enzymes
• C. Careful monitoring of puncture site after PCI
• D. Encourage high-sodium diet

Answer: (C)

GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors dramatically raise bleeding risk by stopping platelets from clumping. After PCI, the puncture site is a common bleeding point, so the essential nursing action is vigilant monitoring of that site for any oozing, hematoma, or delayed bleeding and ensuring hemostasis is maintained. This means inspecting the dressing, looking for swelling or new pain, keeping the access site immobilized as ordered, and monitoring distal neurovascular status and vital signs for early signs of hemorrhage. Other actions like watching respiratory status, checking liver enzymes, or adjusting diet don’t address the primary risk associated with these drugs in the PCI context.

GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors dramatically raise bleeding risk by stopping platelets from clumping. After PCI, the puncture site is a common bleeding point, so the essential nursing action is vigilant monitoring of that site for any oozing, hematoma, or delayed bleeding and ensuring hemostasis is maintained. This means inspecting the dressing, looking for swelling or new pain, keeping the access site immobilized as ordered, and monitoring distal neurovascular status and vital signs for early signs of hemorrhage. Other actions like watching respiratory status, checking liver enzymes, or adjusting diet don’t address the primary risk associated with these drugs in the PCI context.