A nurse is caring for a client who is developing signs of hemorrhage after 5 days of continuous warfarin use. Which of the following labs should the nurse utilize to determine the medication's current therapeutic level?

Rationale:

A. Captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, commonly causes a dry cough as a side effect due to the accumulation of bradykinin.

B. Captopril typically does not cause drowsiness as a side effect.

C. Captopril may cause a decrease in heart rate as a result of its vasodilatory effects, but this is not a primary therapeutic effect of the medication.

D. Captopril primarily affects blood pressure and heart function but does not directly lower LDL cholesterol levels.

Rationale:

A. Completing an electrocardiogram (ECG) is a priority in assessing a patient with chest pain to evaluate for signs of acute myocardial infarction or other cardiac abnormalities.

B. Obtaining a C-reactive protein level may be useful in certain situations to assess inflammation, but it is not a priority in the acute management of chest pain.

C. Administering an anti-hypertensive medication is not a priority unless the patient's blood pressure is significantly elevated and causing acute symptoms.

D. Completing an echocardiogram may be indicated later in the assessment process but is not typically performed immediately in the emergency room for evaluation of chest pain.