What should be checked before administering heparin?

Before administering heparin, it is vital to check the PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time) lab results. Heparin is an anticoagulant, meaning it is used to prevent blood clots. The effectiveness of heparin therapy is monitored using the PTT, which assesses the intrinsic pathway of the coagulation cascade. A prolonged PTT indicates that the patient is at a higher risk of bleeding, which can be dangerous if heparin is administered without regard for these levels. Therefore, ensuring that the PTT is within the therapeutic range is essential for safe administration of heparin, as it helps to balance the risk of clotting with the risk of excessive bleeding.

In contrast, checking blood glucose is not directly relevant to the efficacy of heparin therapy, nor is a complete blood count, which might provide some information about overall blood components but does not specifically assess coagulation status. Electrolyte levels, while important for overall patient management, do not impact the immediate safety and effectiveness of heparin administration.