How should the nurse explain the action of heparin to a client with deep vein thrombosis?

Heparin is an anticoagulant that primarily works by inhibiting certain clotting factors in the blood, which helps prevent the existing clot from enlarging. It does not directly dissolve clots but rather prevents the formation of new clots and the extension of existing ones. This action is critical in managing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), where the goal is to minimize the risk of complications, such as pulmonary embolism, by ensuring that the current thrombus does not grow larger.

While some other options mention stabilizing or dissolving clots, they do not accurately reflect the pharmacologic action of heparin. The drug functions by modulating the coagulation cascade rather than acting as a direct thrombolytic agent. Hence, explaining to the client that heparin works to prevent the current clot from getting bigger provides them with a clear understanding of how the medication functions to manage their condition effectively.