NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) Practice Exam

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What is the recommended prophylaxis dosage of Unfractionated Heparin for VTE?

5000 units SC q8-12H
30 mg Q12H
2500-5000 units SC QD
30 mg IV bolus plus 1 mg/kg SC dose

The correct answer is: 5000 units SC q8-12H

Unfractionated Heparin is commonly used to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE), which is the formation of blood clots in the veins. To effectively prevent VTE, the recommended prophylaxis dosage of Unfractionated Heparin is 5000 units administered subcutaneously (SC) every 8-12 hours. The other options listed are incorrect for a few reasons. Option B, 30 mg every 12 hours, is not a commonly used prophylaxis dosage for Unfractionated Heparin and may not provide adequate protection against VTE. Option C, 2500-5000 units once daily, is also not a recommended prophylaxis dosage because the effects of Unfractionated Heparin do not last for a full 24 hours. Finally, option D, a 30 mg intravenous (IV) bolus followed by a 1 mg/kg SC dose, is not recommended for prophylaxis because the IV bolus may lead to an increased risk of bleeding. In summary, the most appropriate prophylaxis dosage of Unfractionated Heparin for VTE is 5000 units administered SC every 8-12 hours.