While receiving a heparin infusion to treat deep vein thrombosis, a client reports that his gums bleed when he brushes his teeth. what should the nurse do first?

The nurse should stop the transfusion immediately and consult with the doctor. Heparin is a blood-thinner and bleeding gums is a sign that a person's blood is too thin. This makes it harder for blood to clot and the patient could bleed to death.