Before administering heparin, what two parameters should the nurse obtain?

When administering heparin, it's crucial for the nurse to obtain specific parameters to ensure the medication is given safely and effectively. The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is essential because it measures the time it takes for blood to clot and indicates how well the heparin is working. This is particularly important for managing the dosage of heparin, as it helps prevent complications such as bleeding. Additionally, weight is important because the dosage of heparin can depend on the patient’s body weight, allowing for proper calculation of the dosage to achieve therapeutic anticoagulation.

Obtaining the aPTT helps to monitor the therapeutic levels of heparin, which can vary between individuals based on various factors, including weight. Therefore, ensuring the right aPTT and weight is fundamental for safe administration and monitoring of heparin therapy.