What should a nurse instruct a patient receiving heparin therapy to monitor at home?

A patient receiving heparin therapy must be vigilant about monitoring for signs of bleeding because heparin is an anticoagulant that increases the risk of bleeding due to its action of inhibiting the clotting process. Patients should be instructed to observe for any unusual bruising, blood in urine or stool, or prolonged bleeding from cuts. These signs indicate that the patient's blood may be too thin, which can lead to complications if not addressed promptly.

While monitoring blood pressure can be important in certain contexts to assess overall health, it is not specifically tied to heparin therapy. Heart palpitations may occur for various reasons and are not directly associated with heparin use. Similarly, weight fluctuations do not provide relevant information regarding the safety and efficacy of heparin therapy. Thus, focusing on signs of bleeding is crucial to ensuring patient safety while on heparin.