Antiplatelets Nursing Pharmacology NCLEX Quick Review

Summary

In this quick and engaging pharmacology review, we explore the world of antiplatelet medications and how they prevent platelet aggregation, thus reducing the risk of clot formation. This class of drugs includes popular medications like Aspirin, Clopidogrel, and Cilostazol. These medications are essential for preventing conditions where clot formation is undesirable, such as myocardial infarction and strokes. However, with their use, there also comes the responsibility of monitoring for side effects like bleeding and GI issues. Nurses play a crucial role in observing signs of bleeding, monitoring platelet counts, and ensuring patient safety, especially since Aspirin can be particularly harsh on the stomach and is not recommended for children due to the risk of Reye's syndrome.

Highlights

• Antiplatelets prevent platelet clumping to avoid clots 🍇➡️❌.
• Use in preventing heart attacks, strokes, and after stent placement 🫀🚫🩸.
• Potential side effects include bleeding, bruising, GI issues 🍽️😣.
• Nurses should monitor for decreased platelet count and signs of bleeding 🩺🔍.
• Aspirin is not for children due to Reye's syndrome risk 🚸⚠️.

Key Takeaways

• Antiplatelets stop platelets from clumping 🛑🩸.
• These meds help prevent heart attacks and strokes ❤️💊.
• Watch for side effects: bleeding, bruising, and GI upset 👀😣.
• Aspirin isn’t for kids—watch out for Reye’s syndrome 🚫👶.
• Nurses are crucial: check platelet counts and for bleeding 🏥👩‍⚕️.

Overview

Antiplatelet medications are like bouncers at a platelet party! They prevent platelets from clumping together and forming clots—a vital function in preventing heart attacks and strokes. So, if you’re dealing with coronary artery disease or have had a stent placed, these meds are your new best friend!

But remember, with great power comes great responsibility. While antiplatelets are fantastic for preventing clots, they also come with potential side effects like bleeding, bruising, and a notoriously temperamental stomach—thanks, Aspirin! Plus, a headache or rash might come along for the ride.

Nurses have a superhero role here—keep an eye on those platelet counts and watch for signs of bleeding. Oh, and a tip from the pros: keep Aspirin away from kids' hands unless you’re keen on risking Reye’s syndrome—yikes! Stay informed and keep those arteries happy!

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction to Antiplatelets The chapter provides an overview of antiplatelet medications, which are designed to prevent platelet aggregation and reduce the risk of clot formation. This class of medications includes aspirin, clopidogrel, and cilostazol. The chapter discusses the use of these medications in preventing conditions like myocardial infarction and strokes, where it is beneficial to prevent platelets from clumping together.
• 00:30 - 01:00: Uses of Antiplatelets In the chapter titled "Uses of Antiplatelets," antiplatelet medications are discussed in the context of their application in preventing clots, especially in patients with stents or known coronary artery or peripheral vascular disease. The mechanism by which these medications work is by preventing platelets from sticking together, thus inhibiting clot formation. The chapter notes potential side effects due to their impact on the clotting process.
• 01:00 - 01:30: Side Effects and Nursing Role This chapter discusses the side effects associated with anti-coagulant medications, such as bleeding, bruising, GI upset, and the potential for rash and headache. Aspirin is highlighted for its harsh impact on the stomach, causing nausea, vomiting, and heartburn. The nurse's role is emphasized as focusing on monitoring for signs of bleeding, such as decreasing platelet count and dropping hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, and observing specific physical sites for bleeding.
• 01:30 - 02:00: Special Considerations and Conclusion This chapter discusses the side effects of certain medications, such as bleeding and stomach pain, which can manifest in various ways like bleeding in the urine, stool, gums, excessive bruising, or stomach aches. Special attention is given to aspirin, highlighting its harmful effects, especially in the pediatric population, as it can lead to Reye's syndrome. The chapter concludes with an invitation to continue learning through additional videos in the pharmacology series, accessible via a provided link.

Antiplatelets Nursing Pharmacology NCLEX Quick Review Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 let's quickly do a farm review over antiplatelets this medication class works against platelet aggregation hence the clumping up of those platelets so we don't get a clot formed and some medications that fall within this medication class include aspirin cigil and cilostazol so what are these medications used to treat well think of conditions where we don't want those platelets forming together so we could use them to help prevent a mardial inunction Strokes
• 00:30 - 01:00 or let's say a patient has a stin place we don't want a clot forming in that stin within that coronary artery because then we're just going to get them my cardial infarction so they can be used for that and then with patients who have known coronary artery disease or periph vascular disease so again how these medications work is that they prevent those platelets from sticking hence clumping together so we don't get the formation of a clot therefore some side effects that can happen because we're affecting that whole clotting process again we'll a little similar to the
• 01:00 - 01:30 anti-coagulants you're going to have some bleeding bruising GI upset particularly with Aspirin it can be very hard on the stomach leading to nausea vomiting heartburn and these medications can also lead to a rash and headache so the nurse's role is going to be really again looking for bleeding so you particularly want to pay attention to a decreasing platelet count because we're affecting the platelet levels along with a decreasing hemoglobin hematocrit again point to bleeding plus look at sites
• 01:30 - 02:00 where there could be bleeding like in the urine the stool look at their gums are they having excessive bruising or even stomach pain because again some of these medications are very hard on the stomach like aspirin and then with Aspirin just remember as a side note that aspirin is not for the Pediatric population because it can lead to Rice syndrome okay so that wraps up this video over cardiac medications if you'd like to watch more videos in this pharmacology series you can access the link below