A nurse receives her client back from the operating room and observes fresh blood on the sheets. The nurse realizes that the client's incision is bleeding and documentation shows that the client received a double dose of intravenous heparin in the operating room. What action should the nurse take?

A. Administer protamine sulfate: Protamine sulfate is the specific antidote for heparin. It binds to heparin and neutralizes its anticoagulant effect, making it the most appropriate intervention to control active bleeding due to a heparin overdose. Rapid administration is critical to prevent further blood loss. B. Transfuse platelets: Platelet transfusion is generally indicated for thrombocytopenia or platelet dysfunction, not for anticoagulation caused by heparin. Heparin-induced bleeding is due to inhibited clotting, not platelet deficiency. C. Transfuse packed red blood cells: Packed red blood cells may be required if the client experiences significant blood loss, but they do not address the underlying anticoagulation caused by the heparin overdose. This intervention is supportive, not corrective. D. Administer vitamin K: Vitamin K is the antidote for warfarin or vitamin K–dependent anticoagulant toxicity. It has no effect on heparin-induced anticoagulation and would not stop the bleeding in this scenario.