Pharmacology and the Nursing Process by Linda Lane Lilley: Practice Exam

How does dabigatran differ from traditional anticoagulants?

1. It has a longer half-life

2. It is administered intravenously

3. It is an oral direct thrombin inhibitor

4. It requires frequent laboratory monitoring

The correct answer is: It is an oral direct thrombin inhibitor

Dabigatran differs from traditional anticoagulants because it is an oral direct thrombin inhibitor. This means that it directly inhibits the activity of thrombin, an enzyme involved in the formation of blood clots. Traditional anticoagulants, such as warfarin, work by inhibiting the production of certain clotting factors in the liver. Dabigatran is advantageous because it does not require frequent laboratory monitoring, unlike traditional anticoagulants which need frequent blood tests to ensure the dosage is appropriate. Additionally, dabigatran has a shorter half-life compared to traditional anticoagulants, meaning it is eliminated from the body more quickly. It is also administered orally, unlike some traditional anticoagulants which require intravenous or injectable administration.