Heparin vs warfarin (Coumadin) nursing NCLEX review of anticoagulants. What is the difference between heparin and warfarin anticoagulants? What do nurses and nursing students need to know?

Heparin is part of the indirect antithrombin inhibitor family of anticoagulants. While Warfarin (Coumadin) is part of the vitamin K antagonist family.

Both medications are anticoagulants that help treat and prevent blood clots. However, these medications do NOT lysis or breakup an existing clot.

Heparin has a fast onset and short duration, but Warfarin has a slow onset and long duration. It is important to monitor the aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) for patients on Heparin. However, it is important to monitor the PT/INR for patients on Warfarin.

The antidote for Heparin is protamine sulfate, and the antidote for Warfarin is Vitamin K.

Quizzes on these medications:
Heparin Quiz: https://www.registerednursern.com/hep...
Warfarin Quiz: https://www.registerednursern.com/war...
Notes: https://www.registerednursern.com/hep...

Lecture Heparin:    • Heparin (Anticoagulant) Nursing NCLEX...  
Lecture Warfarin:    • Warfarin (Coumadin) Anticoagulant Nur...  
More Pharmacology Reviews:    • Nursing Pharmacology  

#heparinandwarfarin #anticoagulants #nursingpharmacology

Website: https://www.registerednursern.com/
More Videos:    • Dopamine IV Drip Calculation & Nursin...  
Nursing Gear: https://teespring.com/stores/register...
Instagram:   / registerednursern_com  
Facebook:   / registerednurserns  
Twitter:   / nursesrn  

Popular Playlists:

NCLEX Reviews:    • NCLEX Study Strategies  
Fluid & Electrolytes:    • Fluid and Electrolytes Nursing  
Nursing Skills:    • Nursing Skills Videos