Australian Dental Council (ADC) Practice Test

The statement regarding the timing of heparin's effect is not accurate. Heparin actually acts quite rapidly after administration, with its effects typically beginning within minutes. This means that the assertion that it takes at least 8 hours for heparin to take effect is misleading.

When considering the context of post-operative care for patients on anticoagulant therapy, it is essential to understand the pharmacokinetics of heparin. Patients receiving heparin may have their coagulation status influenced very shortly after administration, which is crucial for dental professionals to know when planning extractions or managing potential bleeding complications.

In addition to pharmacokinetics, the other statements provided hold true. For instance, tranexamic acid is often used to manage minor post-operative bleeding in patients who are on anticoagulant therapy, as it helps stabilize clots. Regarding the prothrombin value (INR), an INR of 3 is generally considered a threshold that indicates significant bleeding risk, typically necessitating careful evaluation before extraction. Finally, subcutaneous administration of heparin is a common and standard practice for achieving its anticoagulant effects effectively.

Thus, the statement concerning the delay in heparin's action is misleading and helps illuminate the importance