The nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the right leg who is receiving a continuous heparin infusion. Which finding would indicate a potential complication of heparin therapy?

Question: The nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the right leg who is receiving a continuous heparin infusion. Which finding would indicate a potential complication of heparin therapy?

Answer options:

• INR value of 2.5.
• Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) of 70 seconds. ✅ Presence of petechiae on the client's chest.
• Client reports decreased pain in the right leg.

Correct answer: Presence of petechiae on the client's chest.

Explanation: Petechiae are small, pinpoint hemorrhages that indicate capillary bleeding, a sign of increased bleeding risk, which is a significant complication of heparin therapy. An INR of 2.5 is typical for warfarin, not heparin. An aPTT of 70 seconds indicates therapeutic anticoagulation for heparin (normally 1.5-2.5 times baseline), and decreased leg pain indicates improvement of the DVT, not a complication of heparin.