title: Heparin-induced skin necrosis: nurses beware.
abstract: As the prophylactic use of heparin continues to increase, nurses must be aware that heparin use may cause heparin-induced skin necrosis--a rare but serious complication. Although even more severe complications may occur from heparin use, this discussion will focus on skin necrosis caused by subcutaneous heparin. Should heparin-induced skin necrosis develop, heparin therapy must be discontinued immediately. This case presentation illustrates one patient's reaction to this complication.
authors.affiliation: West Los Angeles Veterans Administration Medical Center, CA, USA.
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brosnan
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015984:Causality; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D009336:Necrosis; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000451:nursing / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin