A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection of heparin to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

A. Monitor INR levels: INR is used to monitor warfarin therapy, not heparin. Heparin is monitored using the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), making INR an inappropriate test to guide heparin dosing or assess bleeding risk from it. B. Withhold the medication for an elevated platelet count: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a concern with low platelet counts, not high ones. An elevated platelet count is not a contraindication to heparin administration and does not warrant withholding the drug. C. Validate the dosage with a second nurse: Heparin is a high-alert medication due to the risk of bleeding. Verifying the dosage with a second nurse is a standard safety practice to reduce the risk of dosing errors and ensure patient safety. D. Aspirate before administering the medication: Aspirating before a subcutaneous injection is not recommended, especially for heparin, as it can cause tissue trauma, bruising and can increase the risk of hematoma formation. The correct technique is to inject without aspiration to minimize discomfort and tissue damage.