A nurse is preparing to administer a daily dose of warfarin to a client. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse check prior to administration?
Platelets
OPTT
WBC
INR
The Correct Answer is D
D. The INR is the standard laboratory test used to monitor the effectiveness of warfarin therapy. Warfarin interferes with the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, primarily factors II, VII, IX, and X. The INR provides a standardized measure of coagulation status, allowing healthcare providers to adjust warfarin dosage to maintain therapeutic anticoagulation while minimizing the risk of bleeding or thrombosis.
A. Platelets are involved in the process of blood clotting, but checking platelet levels is not specific to monitoring warfarin therapy. Platelet count may be relevant in assessing overall coagulation status, but it is not the primary laboratory value monitored for warfarin therapy.
B. OPTT measures the time it takes for blood to clot after specific clotting factors are activated. While OPTT is used to monitor the effectiveness of heparin therapy, it is not routinely monitored for warfarin therapy. Warfarin primarily affects the extrinsic pathway of the coagulation cascade, and the international normalized ratio (INR) is the standard laboratory test used to monitor warfarin therapy.
C. White blood cell count assesses the number of white blood cells in the blood and is used to evaluate the immune system and detect infections. Monitoring white blood cell count is not specific to warfarin therapy and is not routinely checked prior to administering warfarin.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Sitting upright after taking the medication is not a standard recommendation.
B. Sustained-release verapamil tablets should not be crushed, chewed, or broken. Crushing a sustained- release tablet can disrupt the extended-release mechanism, leading to an immediate release of the entire dose, which can increase the risk of adverse effects and toxicity.
C. While monitoring is essential for some medications, anemia is not a specific concern related to sustained-release verapamil.
D. Verapamil has been reported to cause constipation as a side effect. This is one of the most commonly reported side effects of verapamil. It is suggested that this effect may be due to a delay in colonic transit.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
B. The correct angle for insulin injections is typically 90 degrees when administering into areas with adequate subcutaneous tissue, such as the abdomen or thigh.
A. Insulin injections should not be administered rapidly, as this can cause discomfort or bruising at the injection site. Additionally, a 20-gauge needle is too large for insulin injections, which typically require smaller gauge needles.
C. Insulin injections are typically administered using insulin syringes, not tuberculin syringes. Additionally, the recommended angle for insulin injections is 90 degrees, not 15 degrees.
D. The Z-track method is a technique used to minimize medication leakage or staining of the skin when administering certain medications, particularly those with irritating properties or medications given intramuscularly.
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