After graduating from nursing school and passing your boards, you accepted a position as an RN in the emergency center at Rasmussen General Hospital (RGH). In the weeks ahead, your emergency center plans to implement a new initiative where clients diagnosed with low-risk deep vein thrombosis (DVT) will be sent home on 3 months of oral anticoagulation therapy with rivaroxaban. Historically, clients diagnosed with DVTs in the emergency center were admitted to the hospital’s observation unit. However, when surveyed about their experiences, many clients reported that this was costly, time-consuming, and inconvenient. Under RGH’s new program, emergency center nurses will be responsible for educating clients about their new medication and administering the first dose to the client before discharge. As part of this new initiative, all emergency center nurses at RGH must be trained to properly educate these clients on all aspects of their new medication regimen. Because you have demonstrated a keen interest in pharmacology, your manager has asked you to develop the educational tools that will be used to train the nurses at RGH. It’s worth noting that the standard dosing for all low-risk DVTs is as follows: Your manager explained that all of the emergency center nurses at RGH will be educated in small groups through a short, in-service training session. You have been asked to develop a professional-looking PowerPoint presentation that the trainers will use to guide the in-service sessions. Your PowerPoint will need to:

Introduction

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common condition in which a blood clot forms in a deep vein, most commonly in the legs. It is essential to promptly diagnose and treat DVTs to prevent complications such as pulmonary embolism. Traditionally, patients diagnosed with DVTs in the emergency center were admitted to the hospital’s observation unit for further management. However, this approach has been associated with high costs, time-consuming hospital stays, and inconvenience for patients.

To address these issues, Rasmussen General Hospital (RGH) has undertaken a new initiative to manage low-risk DVTs in the emergency center setting, with the aim of sending patients home on oral anticoagulation therapy with rivaroxaban. This approach allows for more cost-effective and convenient care while ensuring appropriate treatment. As a result, emergency center nurses at RGH will play a crucial role in educating patients about their new medication regimen and administering the first dose before discharge.

Purpose of the Educational Tools

The purpose of developing educational tools for training the emergency center nurses at RGH is to ensure that they are well-equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to educate patients about their new medication regimen. Providing comprehensive and standardized education will help maximize patient understanding and compliance, ultimately leading to improved outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Components of the Educational Tools

The educational tools will consist of a professional-looking PowerPoint presentation that trainers will use to guide the in-service training sessions for emergency center nurses. The PowerPoint presentation should effectively cover the following components:

1. Introduction to DVT and Oral Anticoagulation Therapy with Rivaroxaban

The presentation should begin with a brief overview of DVT, its causes, risk factors, and common symptoms. This section will provide the nurses with a foundation of knowledge about DVT, helping them understand the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

The presentation should then delve into the rationale for using rivaroxaban as the preferred anticoagulant for low-risk DVTs. This section should include information about the pharmacology of rivaroxaban, its mechanism of action, and the evidence supporting its use in this context. Emphasizing the benefits and potential risks of rivaroxaban will help the nurses reinforce the importance of adherence and monitoring.

2. Dosing and Administration

This section of the presentation will focus on the recommended dosing regimen for rivaroxaban in the management of low-risk DVTs. The nurses should be educated on the proper starting dose, duration of therapy, and any necessary adjustments based on patient-specific factors.

Additionally, the presentation should emphasize the importance of consistent adherence to the prescribed regimen, as well as strategies to ensure proper administration. This can include information on the need for daily dosing, the preferred time of day for administration, and any instructions regarding food intake or other medications that may interact with rivaroxaban.

3. Monitoring and Potential Side Effects

The nurses should be educated on the importance of monitoring patients receiving rivaroxaban therapy for potential side effects and complications. The presentation should outline the signs and symptoms of bleeding, including both internal and external bleeding, and provide guidance on when to seek medical attention.

Furthermore, the presentation should address other potential side effects or adverse events associated with rivaroxaban, such as liver function abnormalities or drug interactions. The nurses should be equipped with the knowledge to recognize and respond appropriately to these situations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the development of comprehensive educational tools for training emergency center nurses on the new initiative for managing low-risk DVTs with oral anticoagulation therapy is essential to ensure standardized and effective patient education. The PowerPoint presentation should cover the essential components such as an introduction to DVT and rivaroxaban, dosing and administration, and monitoring and potential side effects. By providing nurses with the necessary knowledge and skills, we can improve patient outcomes and satisfaction while promoting cost-effective and efficient care in the emergency center.