In response to aPTT of 100 seconds in a client on a heparin drip, what should the nurse do next?

When a patient receiving heparin therapy has an activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) of 100 seconds, which is significantly elevated, the priority action is to turn off the heparin drip.

Heparin is an anticoagulant used to prevent the formation of blood clots, but excess anticoagulation can lead to an increased risk of bleeding. The normal aPTT range is typically between 25 and 35 seconds, depending on the specific lab and protocol used, and a value of 100 seconds indicates that the patient is at a substantial risk for bleeding complications.

Turning off the heparin drip is a critical intervention to rapidly decrease the risk of hemorrhage by halting the anticoagulation effect. Following this, the healthcare provider may decide to monitor the patient further, potentially checking the aPTT after a period or administering protamine sulfate if deemed necessary, depending on the clinical scenario.

While checking the aPTT in one hour may be part of a follow-up procedure, it is not an immediate action to take when faced with such a dangerously high aPTT. Administering protamine sulfate is typically reserved for cases where there is a need to reverse heparin due to bleeding