Abstract
This paper presents a discussion about general medical issues. The paper discusses some general cardiac problems, gastrointestinal (GI) issues and issues relating to the use of anticoagulants. The paper addresses a basic background of each area of medical study and then gives a few examples, in each area, of the typical medical problems that may be encountered.

Table of Contents:
Cardiac
Anticoagulants
GI Problems

From the Paper
"When receiving anticoagulants, there are four areas of education that should be addressed with the patient and the patient's family.
Anticoagulants are powerful medications that can have life saving results, however, they also have several important issues that should be addressed with the patient and their family. The first area of education that the family needs to be aware of is the instruction to tell all medical doctors, dentists and pharmacists that they are on that medication. The medication has other medications that it cannot be mixed with. In addition before surgery or dental work is performed precautions must be taken so that the patient does not hemorrhage.

Tags:oxycontin, education, lasix

Abstract
This paper examines how Factor Five Van Leidenis, also known as Factor V Leiden Thrombophilia, is a disorder that is characterized by a poor anticoagulant response to the APC or the so called 'activated protein C'. It looks at how it is most likely to occur in women with a history of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy, or in association with a high usage of oral contraceptives or in cases where members of one's family have suffered from venous thromboembolism.

From the Paper
"It is also as yet unknown whether the prophylactic treatment of asymptomatic carriers or of carriers with a previous obstetric history is effective or not. This means that those patients with or even without a coagulopathy who may develop an acute thromboembolism during the term of their pregnancy would require a complete and full anticoagulation with intravenous unfractionated heparin, for five to ten days. Therefore, an intravenous dosage of intravenous anticoagulation of heparin, which is followed by a continuous infusion, is recommended for these pregnant women at high risk due to Factor V van Leiden disorder."

Tags:thromboembolism, heparin, anticoagulation

Abstract
Cutilli (2007, p. 43) is concerned with health literacy which she defines as "individuals' ability to understand their healthcare issues and effectively care for themselves". Poor literacy causes severe problems for patients and poor outcomes, and it also results in higher health care costs. In elderly people, health literacy can range from good to inadequate but about half of older people have poor literacy skills. In relation to health, the older person needs literacy skills to read prescriptions, appointment slips, and informed consent forms. As matters stand, complex information is offered on such topics as anticoagulant therapy for patients with low literacy and the material is also culturally insensitive.

From the Paper
Literacy and Creativity in Older People Cutilli (2007, p. 43) is concerned with health literacy which she defines as "individuals' ability to understand their healthcare issues and effectively care for themselves". Poor literacy causes severe problems for patients and poor outcomes, and it also results in higher health care costs. In elderly people, health literacy can range from good to inadequate but about half of older people have poor literacy skills. In relation to health, the older person needs literacy skills to read prescriptions, appointment slips, and informed consent forms. As matters stand, complex information is offered on such topics as anticoagulant

Tags:literacy, creativity, aging

Abstract
This paper discusses the case of Mr. Baker, a 73-year-old man who has had a stroke. It analyzes the pathophysiology of the stroke and the patient-specific characteristics, analyzes the drugs being used, discusses nursing management and monitoring, and discusses the patient/family teaching plan for medication therapy.

From the Paper
"The pathophysiology of Mr Baker's thrombotic stroke indicates an underlying pathological etiology, most likely atherosclerosis, that caused vascular obstruction and precipitated the thrombotic stroke that he sustained. Other possible pathological etiologies responsible for his vascular occlusion might be clot formation due to hypercoagulable state, fibromuscular dysplasia arteritis, dissection of vessel wall and hemorrhage into a pre-existing plaque leading to an obstruction of the blood flow. The thrombotic stroke that Mr. Baker suffered is part..."

Tags:stroke, anticoagulant, heparin, warfarin, bleeding, patient, family, teaching plan, medication therapy

Abstract
This paper describes the causes, diagnosis and medications used to treat cardiovascular accidents (CVAs), also known as strokes. The paper also gives an outline of the responsibilities of nurses caring for such patients and what is expected of them.

From the Paper
"A stroke or cardiovascular accident causes damage to the brain when the blood supply is reduced or stopped completely usually by the bursting of a blood vessel or the occlusion of a vessel by a blood clot . A thrombotic stroke occurs when a blood clot forms in an artery and blocks the blood supply to part of the brain. An embolic stroke occurs when a blood clot or piece of plaque breaks away in another part of the body and blocks an artery in..."

Tags:Cardiovascular accident (CVA), thrombosis, ischemic, hemorrhagic, antithrombolytics, anticoagulants

Abstract
This paper investigates the many different roles that leeches can play in the medical field. Some of the topics covered include the history of their use, their role in assisting blood clotting and surgery and their use in helping to stem blood loss during surgery to repair a lost of damaged limb. The author uses several different studies and case histories to illustrate his thesis.

From the Paper
"The Hirudo Medicinalis leech has demonstrated exceptional usefulness to medicine and health care, particularly in the plastic and reconstructive surgery fields, where torn tissues require time for delicate repair procedures (Concannon), but which is prevented by normal blood clotting. An adult leech placed on the clot will devour it up to five times its body within half an hour. When it has sucked enough, it falls off and fresh blood oozes out of the bite wound for as long as 10 hours (Did You Know?), long enough to allow the surgeon to perform procedures that will save that body part. The leeches' hirudin inhibits blood clotting while the parasites suck and likewise renders the sucked part insensitive by its anesthetic properties. An adult leech can also take in up to 15 ml of blood, which is 10 times its average body weight (Biophram). It can also survive for a full year without needing additional feeding or sucking."

Tags:anticoagulant, anesthetic, properties, surgeons, barbers, blood, clots, feed, replantation, surgery, hirudo, mdicinalis, health, care, trauma, tissue, reconstruction, concannon, antibiotics

Abstract
This paper describes the different therapies available for the secondary prevention of stroke. Each treatment is explained, and the pros and cons are presented. The different therapies available for the secondary prevention of stroke provide individual benefits and risks. The paper outlines the statistics for the amount of stroke-caused deaths and stroke-related visits to the emergency room. The immense stress that the high incidence of stroke places on emergency healthcare is discussed.

From the Paper
"Stroke is an all too common affliction that often leads to permanent disability or death. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, stroke is the cause of 167,661 deaths and 639,000 emergency department visits annually in the United States (these figures are based on statistics for the years 2000 and 1997 respectively). There are several risk factors associated with stroke. One of these factors is aging, which has been shown to significantly increase the risk of stroke (Carolei et. al., 2002). With the growing elderly population, the above statistics are bound to increase as time passes."

Tags:antiplatelet, anticoagulant, antithrombotic, aspirin, hematological

Abstract
This paper discusses many studies and finds that saline was as effective as heparin in maintaining patency, preventing phlebitis and increasing the duration of peripheral intravenous lines. The author concludes that using normal saline rather than heparin as a flushing solution improves the quality of patient care by eliminating problems associated with anti-coagulant drug use and drug incompatibilities. The author also concludes that it is time saving in terms of nurse-hours needed and is cost-effective.

From the Paper
"According to LeDuc (1997), reports in the literature support the use of a normal saline solution for maintaining patency in peripheral intermittent intravenous devises in adults, but the data regarding its use in children is very limited. LeDuc thus designed a study to examine the effects of a heparin flush compared to a saline flush in maintaining the patency of infusion devices in pediatric patients, and to examine the cost saving implications of the treatments."

Tags:meta-study, patency, phlebitis, cost, anticoagulant