In the described postoperative regimen, which drug is the anticoagulant used for DVT prophylaxis?

• A. Metoclopramide
• B. Dalteparin
• C. Co-codamol
• D. Sinemet

Answer: (B)

After surgery, preventing blood clots in the legs and lungs is key, so an anticoagulant is often used for DVT prophylaxis. Dalteparin is a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) that inhibits clot formation by enhancing antithrombin III’s effect on factor Xa (and to a lesser extent thrombin). LMWHs like dalteparin are given by subcutaneous injection and have predictable effects, allowing a simple dosing schedule (often once daily) with good protection against postoperative venous thromboembolism.

The other options serve different purposes: metoclopramide is an antiemetic to prevent nausea; co-codamol is a pain reliever (paracetamol with codeine); sinemet is used for Parkinson’s disease. None of these act as anticoagulants, so dalteparin is the correct choice for DVT prophylaxis.