Word parts
What it means
A group of drugs that make blood take longer to clot. They are used to prevent and treat clots, for example deep vein thrombosisDEEP VAYN throm-BOH-sisA blood clot in a deep vein, most often in the leg or pelvis.thromb/o clot-osis conditionFull entry , pulmonary embolismPUL-muh-nair-ee EM-buh-liz-umA blockage of an artery in the lungs, usually by a blood clot that has traveled there from elsewhere in the body.pulmon/o lung-ary relating toembol/o plug-ism conditionFull entry and stroke in atrial fibrillationAY-tree-ul fib-rih-LAY-shunAn irregular heart rhythm in which the upper chambers of the heart quiver instead of beating in an organized way.atri/o atrium (upper heart chamber)fibrill/o small fibers, quivering-ation processFull entry . They do not dissolve a clot that has already formed; they stop it from growing and stop new ones. Members include heparinHEP-uh-rinAn anticoagulant drug, given by injection or IV, that keeps blood clots from forming or growing.Full entry , enoxaparin, warfarin, apixaban and rivaroxaban.
For the nurse
The main risk is bleeding. Watch for bleeding gums, blood in urine or stool, bruising and a falling hemoglobin, and check the lab test that goes with the drug (aPTT for IV heparin, INR for warfarin). Teach the client to use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor and to tell every provider and dentist about the drug. ISMP lists anticoagulants as high-alert medications.
Remember it
Anti-coagulant: against clotting.
At a glance
| Everyday words | blood thinner |
|---|---|
| Spanish | anticoagulante |
| Also written | anticoagulants, blood thinner, blood-thinner, blood thinners |
Related terms
deep vein thrombosis
A blood clot in a deep vein, most often in the leg or pelvis.
thrombosis
The forming of a blood clot (a thrombus) inside a blood vessel or the heart.
heparin
An anticoagulant drug, given by injection or IV, that keeps blood clots from forming or growing.
aspirin
A drug that eases pain, fever and inflammation and makes platelets less sticky so blood clots less easily.