Intravenous heparin therapy is ordered for a patient. While implementing this order, a nurse should ensure the availability of which of the following medications in the nursing unit?

Option 2 : Protamine sulphate

Concept:

• Heparin: It is an anticoagulant.
• Intravenous route: It is a parenteral route of drug administration wherein the drug is directly injected into the vein of the patient.
• IV route of drug administration ensures maximum bioavailability of the drug as there is no first pass metabolism involved in this mode of drug administration.

Explanation:

• Heparin is an anticoagulant and is used on many occasions in medical practice.
• In case of a drug overdose, an antidote is  and is essential to prevent any severe drug effect.

NOTE -> Protamine sulphate is an antidote for Heparin.

• In case of heparin overdose, it can be used to combat and reverse its ill effects.

• Potassium Chloride: It is a medication used to treat low levels of blood potassium.It is not an antidote for heparin.
• Aminocaproic Acid: It is an antifibrinolytic agent used to cause postoperative clotting. It is not an antidote for heparin.
• Vitamin K: It plays a key role in blood coagulation but it is not enough to combat any ill effects caused by an excessive dosage of heparin.