USE OF ANTIPLATELET DRUGS FOR TREATMENT OF BLOOD CLOTTING 2

Use of Antiplatelet Drugs for Treatment of Blood Clotting

A blood clot, also called a thrombus, is a semisolid clump of blood that forms through
blood coagulation. Normally, it is the body’s response to injury where it prevents excessive
bleeding. However, when it forms in blood vessels, a condition called thrombosis, it can pose
mortal danger to the affected person (Shifrin & Widmer, 2016). If the clot is mobile it can move
towards important organs such as lungs or heart thus preventing blood flow to and from these
organs. Given the dangers of this condition it is important that a lot of care is taken in its
management.

There are various methods of managing blood clots. One of them is through antiplatelet
therapy. This management involves use of antiplatelet drugs which reduce the ability of blood
clot formation by interfering with the process of activating platelets (Shifrin & Widmer, 2016).
Platelets form the nucleus of blood clots. Thus, by reducing their ability to adhere together,
antiplatelet drugs greatly reduce the chance of blood clotting.

Some of the patients that antiplatelet drugs are often used include those who have
suffered a stroke, have undergone hearty surgery or have had heart attack, and those with an
unstable angina (Shifrin & Widmer, 2016). Generally, antiplatelet drugs are used for patients
with clot on their veins. For patients with arterial clot the drugs may not be effective (Shifrin &
Widmer, 2016).

Nurses need to take various precautions before and after administering antiplatelet drugs.
Before administering the drugs the nurse should know all the other drugs the patient is taking to
prevent to prevent various side effects associated with the interactions that the drug may have

USE OF ANTIPLATELET DRUGS FOR TREATMENT OF BLOOD CLOTTING 3
with others. They should also check for the side effects of the drug such as vomiting and loss of
appetite (Alix, 2016). Identification of such side effects is important as it allows the nurse to put
in place measures that ensure patient compliance with the drugs despite presence of the side
effects (Alix, 2016). After administering the drugs, further administering should be made with
meals if there are serious side effects. There is also need for periodic monitoring of platelets
count (Alix, 2016).

USE OF ANTIPLATELET DRUGS FOR TREATMENT OF BLOOD CLOTTING 4

References

Alix, K. (2016). To Bleed or not to Bleed: Current Anticoagulation Therapy and Implications for
Practice. Journal of Vascular Nursing, 34(2), 65.

Shifrin, M. M., & Widmar, S. B. (2016). Platelet inhibitors. Nursing Clinics, 51(1), 29-43.